Fire crews battle blaze at Eastbourne Pier as six engines and aerial platform rush to iconic Sussex landmark

Firefighters are tackling a blaze at the Grade II\* listed Eastbourne Pier after East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service was called at around 10:30 BST on Sunday morning. At the scene are six crews, among them an aerial ladder platform, deploying breathing apparatus and firefighting foam to stop the fire from spreading to other parts of the structure. Both gas and electricity supplies have been isolated and the pier has been evacuated.

Nearby residents have been advised to close their windows and doors while crews work to contain the blaze.

Grand Parade has been partially closed in both directions, with the emergency response causing slow-moving traffic in the area.

The pier suffered severe fire damage in 2014, when roughly a third of the landmark was destroyed; the structure itself dates back to its opening in 1870.