Police, paramedics, fire crews and Ramsgate RNLI were called to Ramsgate’s East Pier last night (September 27) after a fire was set and a man, understood to be in distress, leapt into the sea from the radar tower.
Crews were called at 10.43pm to a report of a fire in the area of the port control office and the Royal Harbour Brasserie.
A man was retrieved from the water after Ramsgate RNLI launched the inshore lifeboat at 11.17pm. He has been arrested on suspicion of arson and was taken to hospital by ambulance crews.
A Kent Police spokesperson said: “Kent Police was called at 10.43pm on Sunday 27 September to a report of a fire on East Pier, near Harbour Parade, Ramsgate.
“A man, aged 32, was recovered from the water by a Coastguard patrol and then arrested by attending officers on suspicion of arson.
“He was taken by ambulance crews to hospital. The fire was extinguished by Kent Fire and Rescue Service. No one was injured.”
A South East Coast Ambulance spokesperson said: “South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) was called shortly after 11pm yesterday (27/09/26) following reports of a person in the water near the East Pier at Ramsgate.
“A man was rescued from the water by the RNLI, and assessed and treated by our crews before being taken to the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital in Margate.”
Kent Fire and Rescue Service was in attendance from 10.36pm to 00.30am.
A spokesperson said: “Kent Fire and Rescue Service was called to reports of a fire at a commercial premises in East Pier, Ramsgate.
“Seven fire engines attended the scene, where crews wearing breathing apparatus extinguished the fire with main jets.
“One man was rescued from water by the RNLI, who was then arrested by Kent Police on suspicious of arson. No injuries were reported.
“SECAmb paramedics, HM Coastguard and the Margate Harbour Master also attended.”
It is not yet known what damage was suffered at the Royal Harbour Brasserie building.
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