Worthing Pier smoking warning issued over fire risk

People are being urged not to smoke anywhere on Worthing Pier amid concerns that discarded cigarettes could cause a serious fire.

Worthing Borough Council said there have been several small fires on the wooden pier over the past decade or so, often caused by discarded cigarettes during dry spells. In May, firefighters were called to a fire believed to have been caused by a discarded cigarette, although it was already out when crews from Worthing and Shoreham arrived. A similar incident was reported in 2019.

No Smoking signs are displayed along the length of the Grade II-listed pier. The council, which is also working on a permanent repair to a section damaged by storms in 2024, said it is investing hundreds of thousands of pounds this year on repairs and maintenance and has asked visitors to help protect the structure by not smoking on it.