Lancashire pier destroyed by fire

  An historic Lancashire pier where a luxury apartment scheme is planned has been destroyed by fire.   The 1910-built pier in the Lancashire resort of Fleetwood, just north of Blackpool, is believed to have been started near its front by a former pub and cafe.   The pier included a promenade deck and a 600ft long jetty with an ornate oriental-style pavilion.   All of the buildings of the pier have been destroyed. The pier sold to a Lancashire businessman Mike Simmons, also known as comedian Joey Blower, for about £500,000 last year.   Simmons was proposing to convert the pier into luxury apartments despite local objections. paul.norman@egi.co.uk