Praise for pier staff's quick response to fire

A person was seen running towards the small fire armed with what appeared to be a fire extinguisher

Seaside staff have been praised for their rapid response in extinguishing a fire inside a beach hut on the end of a pier.

A small fire was spotted on Southend Pier as smoke billowed from a hut at the end of the 1.3-mile (2.1 km) structure on the Thames Estuary.

Essex County Fire & Rescue Service said the blaze was out by the time crews arrived and there was no major or lasting damage to the pier.

Southend City Council's cabinet member for business, culture and tourism, Matt Dent, praised the "swift and professional actions" of staff.

Lee J, who said he went to the pier to see the pirate ship, filmed smoke billowing out from the hut.

On X he said a small fire was "luckily" under control thanks to the "quick actions of the pier crew".

The pier will be open as usual on Wednesday and the cause of the fire will be investigated.

Mr Dent said: "Earlier this evening there was a small fire inside a beach hut at the end of the Pier.

"Thanks to the swift and professional actions of our Pier staff this was extinguished immediately.

"Fire service colleagues were called as a precaution and to inspect the area. They confirmed the fire was fully out... my thanks goes to everyone involved in dealing with this so quickly."