Pier fire investigation 'ongoing'

The fire on the pier - picture by Penny Broomhall

Fire officials say they are keeping an open mind over the cause of the pier blaze at Weston-super-Mare, despite the owner saying arson had been ruled out.

Kerry Michael also said experts had discounted the initial theory that the blaze started in the deep-fat fryers.

His comments came as he reopened the attraction three days after its pavilion was burnt down.

Avon Fire and Rescue Service said the investigation was ongoing and the cause was still unknown.

All possibilities

Mr Michael said earlier that while the inquiry into the cause of the fire had not reached any conclusion, "a couple of things have been ruled out".

"They've ruled out arson," he said. "And they've also ruled out deep-fat fryers. In fact, the experts don't think it started in the restaurants."

But a fire service spokeswoman said: "There is much speculation with regards to the cause of the fire.

"At present the investigation is ongoing and no information has been released from Avon Fire & Rescue Service regarding the cause of the fire - at this stage it is still unknown.

"Fire investigations keep an open mind to all possibilities until the final result can be confirmed."

It means everything to see the pier open today. Anything is better than nothing Kerry Michael

Mr Michael and his sister Michelle were on site on Thursday morning to see the pier re-open for business.

Most of the main walkway is now open to the public, so visitors will be able to see the mangled remains of the pavilion close up.

After taking a stroll round the twisted mass of steel, Mr Michael said: "It means everything to see the pier open today. Anything is better than nothing.

"The staff have been excellent, they obviously feel the same as we do. They've been great."

Landside businesses, including the Grand Pier Gift Shop, Boardwalk Cafe and the Shoreside Snack Bar, have resumed trading.

Fiona Hooper, 45, from Bleadon, Somerset, who normally works in the marketing department which was based in the destroyed pavilion, will be helping out in the shops instead.

She said: "We're really happy to be open so soon. It was so sad to see the fire. I didn't think it would be opened up so quickly. I do think it's going to be really busy today."

On Wednesday, it was revealed that 370 arcade machines - along with an unknown amount of coins inside them - had melted in the fire.

But police said they had no reports of people scavenging on the beach for items and that the 300m exclusion zone was holding and no-one was able to get under the pier.