Churchill Square in Brighton to stay closed for at least four hours

Churchill Square shopping centre in Brighton is to stay closed for at least four hours, East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said this morning (Tuesday 15 October).

The shopping centre was evacuated because of a fire at about 8.30am.

Four fire engines were sent – two from Preston Circus and two from Hove along with the incident command unit from Lewes.

The fire service said: “An acetylene cylinder had caught alight in a storage area where some building work was being carried out.

“The fire is now out and crews are cooling the acetylene cylinder using one hose reel jet. The cooling process is expected to take some time.

“Churchill Square Shopping Centre will be closed for at least four hours.”

The fire service gave the update shortly before 10.30am after firefighters took about an hour to put out the fire.

Sussex Police said: “Brighton police assisted East Sussex Fire and Rescue colleagues in evacuating and establishing a cordon around the Churchill Square shopping centre in Brighton where a fire broke out at about 8.30am on Tuesday (15 October).

“The fire involved an oxyacetylene cylinder in a store room at the rear of Churchill Square and was extinguished about an hour later.

“However, the fire service has advised that the evacuations need to remain in place for at least a further two hours from 9.40am in order to allow the cylinder to cool and (for a) further assessment to be made.

“The fire is not being treated as suspicious at this time and nobody has been injured.

“Churchill Square and the area immediately outside have been safely evacuated without danger to staff or the public and traffic diversions have also been put in place in the immediate vicinity.”

Chief Superintendent Nev Kemp said: “Emergency services appreciate the patience and co-operation of staff and public while the incident is safely dealt with.”