1914, April 14, Portsmouth Evening News, Page,
Suffragettes Suspected Great Yarmouth, Friday.
The handsome pavilion on the Britannia Pier at Great Yarmouth was completely destroyed by fire this morning. The night watchman discovered flames in a new tearoom which was being erected at the rear of the pavilion, and by the time he could give the alarm the pavilion, which was built four years ago, was ablaze one end to the other.
The watchman states that he heard loud report like gun prior to seeing the flames. There is little doubt that the fire was the work of Suffragettes. So far as can ascertained, it appears that bomb must have been secreted under the seats after last night’s performance. This exploded with terrific force about four this morning, the report of the explosion being heard at the other end the town, more than a mile distant. In few seconds the whole building was burning fiercely, and now nothing remains but the iron girders.
The dancing deck alongside the pavilion also caught fire, and has been destroyed. The pavilion, which was rebuilt after destructive fire in December, 1909, was one of finest on the East Coast, and the damage is estimated at between £15,000 and £20,000.
A quantity of Suffragette literature has been found on the beach, and it is suggested that the Suffragettes may have come from Lowestoft, where they have been much in evidence during the past days.
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