PEOPLE using historic Hythe Pier are being warned not to smoke amid fears the timber jetty could catch fire after the exceptionally hot weather.
Supporters of the 142-year-old structure fear it might suffer the same fate as Weston-super-Mare's pier, which was destroyed by a massive blaze in 2008.
Rebuilding the pier took two years and is said to have cost £52m.
Hythe Pier, the seventh longest in the British Isles, is used by the passenger ferry that operates between Hythe and Town Quay, Southampton.
A message on Hythe Ferry's Facebook page is accompanied by a picture of the Weston-super-Mare fire.
The message says: "We need your help. Despite our best efforts, members of the public are still continuing to smoke on the pier.
"Whilst we understand smoking has previously been permitted, and this is classed as outdoors, we cannot stress enough that the pier is wooden and is Grade 2 listed.
"During this freak weather there have already been two small fires on the pier and we simply cannot take any risks.
"Please share far and wide that no smoking is permitted on the pier, train or ferry."
Ferry manager Sath Naidoo added: "Despite having a small amount of rain this week, the planking and buildings remain tinder dry.
"Passengers and pier walkers are constantly reminded about the risk of fire on the pier, but sometimes warnings fall on deaf ears."
Mr Naidoo highlighted the "constant vigilance" of pier staff, adding that CCTV was also in operation.
The structure was hit by a potentially disastrous blaze in 1976.
The Daily Echo reported: "Hythe's hundred-year-old pier was saved after fire broke out more than halfway along its length.
"Many of the pier's wooden boards had to be ripped up by Hythe firemen, who found fire under the per's planks.
"The fire boat was called out from Southampton Docks and tied up under the pier to enable firemen to fight the flames from both sides. The blaze is thought to have been caused by carelessly dropped cigarette ends."
Another fire occurred on the pier in 1979.
Two men, Patrick Ford and Ernie Nutbeem, lowered buckets on ropes over the side and scooped up seawater to douse the flames.
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