DETAILED inspections have continued into a blaze at Felixstowe pier to check the damage caused by a fire in part of its wooden structure.It is believed a spark from equipment used by workmen caused the small blaze.

By Richard Cornwell

DETAILED inspections have continued into a blaze at Felixstowe pier to check the damage caused by a fire in part of its wooden structure.

It is believed a spark from equipment used by workmen caused the small blaze.

Secretary of Felixstowe Pier Trust, Norman Thompson said: "There doesn't appear to be much damage but we are having a close look to see that everything is all right.

"We have some workmen on there at the moment removing the rest of the Slippery Dip ride and we think a spark must have dropped down between the decking and then smouldered."

A lifeboat crew was called to help firefighters tackle the fire at the pier, which is earmarked for demolition as it is not safe for the public to use.

The Harwich Lifeboat pumped sea water on the beam beneath the pier deck until everyone was satisfied that the fire was out.

It is not the first time there has been a fire on the pier, and some years ago firefighters were called out in the early hours after a spark from a firework display held on the landmark earlier in the evening set some decking alight.

The pier has been a feature of the town for 97 years but plans to replace it with a £15 million mega attraction to bring more people to the town have failed.

The charitable trust, which owns the landmark, now says there is no option but to pull it down.