The Central Pier fire minute-by-minute: When it broke out and how firefighters tackled it within six minutes

The fire service has released a minute-by-minute timeline of the Central Pier fire.
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3.20am: The first of six 999 calls are made, with a security guard on the pier among those reporting the fire

3.27am: The first fire engine arrives on the scene. The crew assesses the situation and tells the control room another six engines will be needed

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3.30am: A further three engines are called out, taking the total at the scene to 10. It means around 70 firefighters were tackling the blaze at its height

Firefighters were called to a blaze in a workshop at Blackpool's Central Pier at around 3.20am on Friday, July 17, 2020 (Picture: Gordon Head)Firefighters were called to a blaze in a workshop at Blackpool's Central Pier at around 3.20am on Friday, July 17, 2020 (Picture: Gordon Head)
Firefighters were called to a blaze in a workshop at Blackpool's Central Pier at around 3.20am on Friday, July 17, 2020 (Picture: Gordon Head)

3.46am: The drone team is called out to capture images of the fire from above to aid those on the ground

3.48am: The size of the fire is reported to measure 20x10m. Two jets are used to tackle the flames for the next few hours

6.47am: After efforts to save most of the historic structure are successful, the decision is made to reduce the number of fire engines at the scene to five

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8.00am: Another fire engine leaves the scene, leaving the total there at four

9.30am: Officials from the fire service and other agencies hold a meeting to discuss the fire. An investigation is opened into the cause

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