Weekly Photo Challenge: Hot

Mike Hardisty

On 28th July 2008 a fire destroyed the pier at Weston-super-Mare UK. At the time I lived in Weston-super-Mare and was able to catch this series of pictures….

The Grand Pier, as the pier is called, is situated on the Bristol Channel approximately 18 miles (29 km) south west of Bristol. The pier is privately-owned and is one of three piers in the town together with Birnbeck Pier, which stands derelict awaiting possible restoration and the much shorter SeaQuarium aquarium built towards the south end of the seafront. It is supported by 600 iron piles and is 400 metres (1,300 ft) long. It has been damaged by fire on one other occasion, which was in 1930.

Fire-fighters fought the blaze for a good few hours but by the time they were notified the fire had already taken hold and it was obvious to everyone watching that they weren’t going to save the pier.

Now whilst the fire was on I shot off about 150 images. I thought this one was particularly poignant

Of course like all seaside towns in the UK there’s got to be at least one Fish and Chip shop. Weston is no exception and there are loads along the sea-front.

Following the 2008 fire, which completely destroyed the pavilion, the pier was rebuilt at a cost of £39 million and reopened on 23 October 2010.

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20 thoughts on “Weekly Photo Challenge: Hot”

    • Mike Hardisty July 18, 2011 / 23:16

      Thank You! It was an awesome sight to see it go up and be consumed so quickly. It went from a solid structure to a twisted shellin not much more than 30 minutes

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  2. afuzzydoglife July 18, 2011 / 22:45

    I remember visiting that pier as a kid. So glad they have rebuilt it but I’m sure it doesnt have the charm of the original. Great photos

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    • Mike Hardisty July 18, 2011 / 23:18

      The new pier is supposed to be bigger and better but I left Weston-super-Mare whilst it was still being built and I’ve not been back to see what t looks like…

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  3. Patti Kuche July 18, 2011 / 22:59

    Fabulous photos but so sad that another one bit the dust . . .

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    • Mike Hardisty July 18, 2011 / 23:19

      Well they have built a new pier. I don’t live in weston anymore so I don’t know what it’s like

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      • Patti Kuche July 18, 2011 / 23:40

        . . . and where they found the 39 million to rebuild it is a mystery to me!

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  4. suitablefish July 19, 2011 / 00:15

    I also find the 2nd photo particuarly poignant. Portrays a lot in that one shot.

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  5. changeversations July 19, 2011 / 00:49

    Wow, what a loss. It’s good they were able to rebuild. You took great photos, Mike.
    Thanks so much for the pingback. I really appreciate it.

    Like

    • Mike Hardisty July 22, 2011 / 10:06

      I was lucky to be there at the right time and I just kept firing off the shutter.

      Like

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  7. the island traveler July 19, 2011 / 08:07

    What a dramatic series of events. You were able to capture all of it. Hopefully they will rebuild the Pier. Sometimes fire and natural disasters can turn against us and it is a humbling experience. great pictures.

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    • Mike Hardisty July 22, 2011 / 10:07

      The pier has been rebuit at some considerable cost. From what I’ve read and seen in the news they’ve done a really great job of the new build.

      Like

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  10. 2e0mca July 22, 2011 / 11:39

    Good photo-journalism – love that smoke!

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  12. frizztext August 13, 2011 / 12:05

    very sad, that fire on Bristol Grand Pier…

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