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Hastings Pier Fire 1917

Hastings Pier Fire 1917
Hastings Pier Fire 1917
Hastings Pier Fire 1917
Hastings Pier Fire 1917
Hastings Pier Fire 1917
Hastings Pier Fire 1917
Hastings Pier Fire 1917
Hastings Pier Fire 1917
Hastings Pier Fire 1917

To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the fire on Hastings Pier in 1917, I was asked to create some now and then images by the team working on the East Sussex WW1 website. Unlike the 2012 fire which took place at night, the one in 1917 happened during the afternoon and was witnessed by many hundreds of people.

Very much like the 2012 fire though, this fire provided the opportunity for the owners to redevelop and modernise the pier. Far from being a disaster, it probably helped to ensure that the structure was repaired and strengthened, ensuring its lasting presence on the seafront.

A more detailed and interesting article about the fire can be read here.

This image is part of a continuing series of Then and Now images I’ve created for East Sussex Council’s World War 1 commemoration website. The website is focused on the contribution that the men and women of East Sussex made towards the war effort.

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