Only three days after a huge fire tore through its century-old pavilion, a blackened and humbled Weston-Super-Mare Grand Pier reopened today. Or some of it, at least.

The owners, Kerry Michael and his sister Michelle, visited the site this morning to see the pier re-open, minus its charred attractions.

Visitors can take a leisurely stroll down the walkway to within yards of the wreckage. The landward end of the 104-year-old pier, with its six shops selling gifts and sweets, is also open.

After surveying the pavilion, which was levelled in a 90-minute blaze which threw into the air a plume of smoke visible in Cardiff, Mr Michael said the show must go on.

Times Archive, 1930: Weston-Super-Mare pier fire

Thousands of people gathered on the sea front to watch the fire, which was reflected in the incoming tide

• In pictures, 1962: Penny 'fruit machines' at Weston-super-Mare

• Advertisement, 1903: The Weston-Super-Mare Grand Pier Company

Related Links

• Grand Pier 'will be rebuilt'

• Southend-on-Sea Pier is a sign of hope

• Huge fire destroys historic pier

“Without the pier open, Weston is not open”, he said. “It will be operating as normal other than the pavilion.

“The public will be able to come within 20 feet and see the devastation.”

He added that investigators examining the scene had ruled out arson.

Some 370 arcade machines were destroyed in the 1,000C fire, which was so severe in its intensity that it melted the coins in their hoppers.

The fire service warned treasure hunters today that no cash, machines or safes had fallen into the sea or onto the beach.

Earlier this week, Mr Michael spoke of how his devastation after he invested £1 million on revamping the attraction.

He said: “It has been devastating. You are trying to lift not only yourself but all of those around you, when really all you want to do is cry. There’s nothing left but twisted steel."

The Grand Pier opened in 1904 and was established as one of the south west's foremost attractions. Older locals still recall the devastating fire of 1930 when children ran beneath the burning pier to gather handfuls of pennies that dropped from melting slot machines.

Explore UK News

• Crime News

• Education News

• Health News

• Scotland News

Times Recommends

• 5 Christmas romance confessions
• Has champagne lost its sparkle?
• Your tailor-made Christmas