In July 2014, a devastating fire tore through part of Eastbourne Pier, sending thick smoke across the seafront and causing significant damage to the historic structure.
Shortly after the blaze, Sussex Air Imaging captured these aerial images, offering a rare perspective of the aftermath from above.
From the air, the scale of the destruction was starkly visible — with large sections of the pier’s buildings destroyed, exposing the full impact of the fire in a way that simply couldn’t be seen from the ground.
These images not only document a dramatic moment in the town’s history, but also highlight the value of drone photography in capturing events as they unfold, providing powerful visual records for news, investigations and public awareness.
More than a decade on, the fire remains a defining moment for Eastbourne and a reminder of how quickly landmarks can change.
All phtographs are copyrighted by Sussex Air imaging.
