Police investigate 'explosions' beneath Burnham-On-Sea pier

Published: October 20, 2007
Police investigate 'explosions' beneath Burnham-On-Sea pier

Burnham-On-Sea pier was at the centre of a police investigation on Saturday afternoon (October 20th) after several "loud explosions" were heard earlier in the day.

Graffiti vandals set fire to three paint canisters, causing them to explode next to the concrete pillars of the seafront structure.

A team of Burnham-On-Sea police officers was quickly on the scene, as pictured here, after a concerned Louise Parkin, the Pavilion's General Manager, dialed 999 to alert them.

Several of the pier's customers had earlier reported a strong smell of spray paint.

"We established that the smell was coming from beneath the pier, where several vandals were apparently graffiti painting," Louise told Burnham-On-Sea.com.

"My Assistant Manager and I then realised that several of the paint canisters had been set alight underneath the pier, next to the pillars."

"We grabbed two fire extinguishers and as were running along the beach to try and put the fire out, there were several explosions or very loud bangs as the canisters blew up."

"Fortunately, neither Greg - my Assistant Manager - or I were not closer or one of us would have been injured."

"If he'd been 30 seconds faster, he would certainly have suffered some injuries to his face."

Louise said one of the concrete pillars was very slightly damaged in the incident although her main concern was for people in the area.

"There were lots of half-term holidaymakers down there on the beach, so this was a very dangerous thing to have done. It's very lucky that none of them were closer."

"It was an inconceivably stupid thing to do," added Louise.

Three police officers were sent to the scene to investigate and although three youngsters seen in the area managed to get away without being caught, footage from nearby CCTV cameras is to be examined to see whether the group can be identified.

The incident comes just one week after Burnham-On-Sea.com reported about the current spate of graffiti vandalism along the sea wall.