In Pictures: West Pier on fire

1 of 8 The fire spread over a five-metre square area inside the ballroom's roof timbers

2 of 8 Firefighters directed their hose at the flames from a safe distance

3 of 8 East Sussex Fire Brigade appealed for people to stop dialling 999 as the day went on

4 of 8 A firefighter clambers into the cast-iron structure to examine the scene

5 of 8 People gathered early on Sunday to watch another fire from the beach

6 of 8 Water was piped across a walkway from the shore to the burning ballroom

7 of 8 A fire engine passed stallholders from the Brighton Festival on its way to the pier

8 of 8 Smoke continues to rise as 'hotspots' are left to burn out on their own