(Photo source:chinadaily.com.cn)

A major fire has broken out at a historic pier in the seaside resort town of Eastbourne in East Sussex of southeast England, leading to quick evacuation and traffic control around the popular tourist site, local authorities said Wednesday.

Around 60 firefighters were called out at 15:13 local time (1413 GMT) on Wednesday to tackle the fire. "They are attacking the fire from the coastal side of the building, from the beach and from underneath the Pier," the East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service (ESFRS) said in a statement.

The fire was believed to have started in wall paneling in a part of the Pier which houses arcade games. A large plume of smoke could be seen above Eastbourne.

Local police confirmed that the pier was safely and quickly evacuated and there was no one trapped in the fire when it broke out. No injuries or casualties have been reported so far.

Police were called to the seafront to assist fire service colleagues with traffic control and the large number of people who were on the seafront at the time or who have turned up to watch, according to Sussex Police.

A one-way system was put in place in the area around Eastbourne Pier to assist firefighting vehicles attending the major fire that has broken out on the historic structure.

"Police are asking drivers to stay away from the area and to be prepared for diversions or other traffic control measures if they have to use roads locally," Sussex Police said, adding "The fire is not believed to be suspicious at this time."

The ESFRS noted that a two-storey building on the Pier measuring around 30 meters by 50 meters was well alight. The building is about 50 meters from the shoreline.

Firefighters were also being assisted by the Coastguard, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and the South East Coast Ambulance at the scene.

Opened in 1870, Eastbourne Pier has a popular resort for tourists in the costal town.