BS: Grand Pier, Weston-Super-Mare is on fire

Subject: RE: BS: Grand Pier, Weston-Super-Mare is on fire
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Jul 08 - 04:47 PM

I had to look up the place because I didn't see it in the U.S. news.

Too bad. Those kinds of places really are the anchors of many popular tourist type areas and can make or break a town.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Grand Pier, Weston-Super-Mare is on fire
From: SharonA
Date: 29 Jul 08 - 08:40 AM

The Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppets did it... as you will see here.

Subject: RE: BS: Grand Pier, Weston-Super-Mare is on fire
From: GUEST,rob
Date: 28 Jul 08 - 07:22 PM

vey sad day the pier was the focal point of weston i worked there in the 70s and spent many a happy hour here! i am pleased kerry michael has vowed to rebuild it and wish he could build a new tropicana at the same time! what we need is a theme water park like the swindon oasis with a retractable roof

Subject: RE: BS: Grand Pier, Weston-Super-Mare is on fire
From: Charley Noble
Date: 28 Jul 08 - 06:32 PM

It certainly looked awful on the morning news.

Sad to see so many memories go up in smoke and flame.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Grand Pier, Weston-Super-Mare is on fire
From: GUEST,Chloe-1991
Date: 28 Jul 08 - 05:04 PM

I live in weston and it was sooo sad watching the pier go up in flames. All we could do was stand there and watch helplessly. I was on the pier just yesterday. The pier was the center of weston and its one of the reasons tourists come to weston. I dont believe weston will ever be the same again. :'(

Love Chloe

Subject: RE: BS: Grand Pier, Weston-Super-Mare is on fire
From: jacqui.c
Date: 28 Jul 08 - 04:45 PM

Can we not feel emotion for human loss and the loss of venerable structures as well?

I know that most of the posters to this thread, long time Mudcatters, have shown sorrow for disasters affecting people in the past and one, in particular, has been personally involved in trying to ameliorate the problems of those in need.

It is sad that such a great building has been destroyed.

Subject: RE: BS: Grand Pier, Weston-Super-Mare is on fire
From: SINSULL
Date: 28 Jul 08 - 04:26 PM

When the Twin Towers fell, I can remember a real sense of relief that the Statue of Liberty still stood. A part of my heritage; something I am proud of;
I understand Mike and I hope it can be rebuilt.
SINS

Subject: RE: BS: Grand Pier, Weston-Super-Mare is on fire
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 28 Jul 08 - 03:44 PM

One day I will die for sure Goatfell .... but a lot of piers will still exist after I am gone. They are part of our heritage and something to be proud of. Built by a generation of people who took art and design seriously. People will always be dying in accidents and wars... some of them because of their own choices.... but piers don't have a choice.
Best wishes, Mike.

Subject: RE: BS: Grand Pier, Weston-Super-Mare is on fire
From: goatfell
Date: 28 Jul 08 - 03:37 PM

It is a shame though but as I said where are your principles

Subject: RE: BS: Grand Pier, Weston-Super-Mare is on fire
From: goatfell
Date: 28 Jul 08 - 03:33 PM

There are people dying, in wars, our armed forces are fighting in wars, there are people dying in road accidents, the world is in a horrible state and all the headline news this morning was a bloody building on a pier goes on fire, where are your principles eh! what is more important to you, humans or buildings, you can build a new one, but you can't have the same member of you family when they are dead now can you!

Subject: RE: BS: Grand Pier, Weston-Super-Mare is on fire
From: GUEST,LTS pretending to work
Date: 28 Jul 08 - 06:17 AM

Horrendous news... particularly as my cousin has worked on lighting rigs and things along the pier. The news that no-one has been hurt (and that he's most unlikely to have been up at 6.30am) is good... but another pier gone!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Grand Pier, Weston-Super-Mare is on fire
From: GUEST,Joy Bringer
Date: 28 Jul 08 - 06:14 AM

From the beach it looks as if the main structure of the pier is fine. Sadly the platform is completely gone.

If they can rebuilt on the superstructure, it would be wonderful to re creature the old Victorian façades and seating.

We really haven't had much luck with our piers.

Subject: RE: BS: Grand Pier, Weston-Super-Mare is on fire
From: lady penelope
Date: 28 Jul 08 - 05:56 AM

I've been watching this on the news. By the peak of the fire they were over 80 firemen and 11 tenders at the scene. The fire chief said that even by then all they were really doing was damping down. His current theory (about 10am) was that a fat frier in one of the food outlets set on fire and that possibly the ensuing confligration was caused by gas cannisters and other flammables going up.

It'll be a while before they can actually get on site and see what the total damage is. The man from the council was hopeful that the pier's actual superstructure would not be affected and that it would be a matter of re-building the platform and arcades.

All in all, quite dreadful.

Subject: RE: BS: Grand Pier, Weston-Super-Mare is on fire
From: GUEST,Joy Bringer
Date: 28 Jul 08 - 04:47 AM

The fire is almost out, just twisted metal and steam now. Started around 7.00am, I was up at 6.00am and all seemed fine. Can't understand how it seemed to take grip so fast. Emergency services were here in no time at all. I phoned them as soon as I noticed it, they told me appliances were on route.

Subject: RE: BS: Grand Pier, Weston-Super-Mare is on fire
From: GUEST,Kwok Ying Chan Masters
Date: 28 Jul 08 - 04:34 AM

I can't believe it. I grew up in WsM and the Grand Pier was part of our childhood!

Such a big shame that its now disappeared!:-(

Subject: RE: BS: Grand Pier, Weston-Super-Mare is on fire
From: Splott Man
Date: 28 Jul 08 - 03:43 AM

I'm at work in Cardiff Bay, there is a huge cloud now blocking out a pale orange sun. You can smell the smoke in the air too.

The pier has only recently been renovated too.

Subject: RE: BS: Grand Pier, Weston-Super-Mare is on fire
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 28 Jul 08 - 03:18 AM

What a tragedy... yet another of our piers.. part of our heritage ....bites the dust. Sad day!.

Subject: BS: Grand Pier, Weston-Super-Mare is on fire
From: GUEST,Joy Bringer
Date: 28 Jul 08 - 03:13 AM

I am standing watching a most terrible sight, the whole of the Grand Pier here in Weston-Super-Mare is engulfed in flames. It is not just a part of it that is on fire, it's completely alight.

Many of you will remember this fabulous structure.