INVESTIGATORS looking into a blaze which destroyed a pier have drawn a blank on the cause.

Police say "exhaustive enquiries" into the fire which badly damaged Eastbourne Pier on July 30 last year have concluded with no clear picture of what caused the blaze.

Detectives trawled through more than 120 hours of CCTV footage - much of it recovered by scientists who rebuilt heat-damaged hard drives to obtain images - but discovered nothing of significance.

Additionally, phone data and witness interviews, combined with details from the public, contributed to the investigation.

Officers say the consensus, with East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service and the pier's management, is that the fire started near a machine in an amusement arcade at the landward end of the Victorian pier.

This was one of two seats of fire found by the fire service and is believed to have been the one that led to the huge devastation to the pier. The second, in public toilets a short distance from the arcade, caused little damage but prompted firefighters to suspect human involvement.

This was one of several theories considered, others including an electrical fault or - despite the pier's "no smoking" policy - a discarded cigarette.

However, because the intensity of the fire destroyed the scene and recoverable evidence, police say it has been impossible to reach a firm conclusion.

A spokesman for Eastbourne Pier said: “Although we are disappointed that there has been no conclusive answer to the causation of the fire, we would like to thank the police and East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service for the many hours they have spent reconstructing and reviewing CCTV footage.

"We have provided the authorities with CCTV hard drives that monitor all aspects of the pier and have worked with all parties to try and establish whether the fire was started deliberately.

"While we would have liked a definitive answer, we believe the authorities have conducted a thorough investigation.”

Detective Inspector Mark O'Brien, of Eastbourne CID, said: "No further lines of enquiry have emerged at this time and so the case will now be closed.

"While it is disappointing to have no definite answer to what happened here last summer, it has been an exhaustive investigation.

"All those who have been involved, including ESFRS, pier management and police officers, are acknowledged for their detailed and thorough work.

"I am also grateful to the public for the information and material they have provided."

DI O'Brien said he remained open-minded about the case and said people should email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk or call 101, quoting Operation Barsham, if they know anything else.