Britain's oldest iron pier was engulfed in flames on Sunday night as a hut on the pier caught fire. The grade II listed Southport pier was ablaze shortly before midnight, with the fire spreading around 20 metres before firefighters were called to put out the inferno.

A spokesperson for Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service told the ECHO: "Fire crews were called to Southport Pier, on the promenade in Southport last night, August 31. Crews were alerted at 11.48pm and on scene at 11.54pm, with three fire engines in attendance. "Crews arrived to find a hut on fire on the pier affecting an area around 20 metres by five metres on and below the pier. "Crews secured water supplies and began to fight the fire, which had spread to a café building, using main branch hoses both on the pier and from below it. "The main body of fire was extinguished by around 12.50am on the morning of September 1 and firefighters continued to damp down the scene and monitor for hot spots, with the fire completely extinguished by 1.34am.

"Crews left the scene after handing over to Sefton Council and security staff at 2.08am. The fire is believed to have been accidental, the cause being an electrical fault."

This devastating incident occurred just two months after Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed the government's intention to support the re-opening of Southport Pier, which was "temporarily closed for essential maintenance" in 2022.

It was shuttered by Sefton Council following advice from structural engineers after a spell of severe weather conditions, reports Liverpool Echo.

Essential repair work was estimated to cost a staggering £13 million.

The pier's closure dealt a major blow to the town's leisure and tourism sector, with numerous residents and business proprietors eager to witness the pier's reopening.

In July, Sefton Council leader Marion Atkinson confirmed that restoration work could commence "within six week to eight weeks" of fresh government funding being secured.

Speaking on BBC Radio Merseyside's "The Hot Seat", she said: "We knew how important it was to people and our MP Patrick Hurley absolutely smashed it with this.

"We are delighted. We just need to wait and see the detail of it. We're ready to go within six to eight weeks. I think it will probably take between 12 to 14 months for it to go from start to finish."

Extending an impressive 3,600 ft (approximately 0.68 miles), Southport Pier ranks as the second longest in Britain.

Previously welcoming renowned performers, including Charlie Chaplin during the early 20th century, it subsequently deteriorated, prompting the council to suggest its demolition in 1990.

The beloved pier was rescued by just one vote, bringing immense relief to Southport locals.

Its 2022 shutdown represents the second occasion the beleaguered structure has been closed to visitors due to safety issues, echoing a comparable closure during the 1990s which resulted in a £7.2m restoration between 2000-2002. The sudden closure has sparked a wave of anger among locals and tourists alike.

A visitor from Warrington vented on TripAdvisor: "Still can't believe that Southport has been allowed to decline even further, the council do not seem to be bothered.

"After allowing what was one of the go to town centres to decline over the past years, now the pier is shut.

"Why can't the council get help to regenerate the area, it was such a nice place to visit, Blackpool had its air show today and it was free to watch, plus you could go on the pier to view."

Another disgruntled individual remarked: "I found that Southport in general is in decline with lots of shops shut down and the promenade in a poor state. As I come from Blackpool, although not perfect, it is in a better state than Southport. The actual pier is empty with no seats, bars, cafes or amusements!".