Firefighters have been called to a blaze in a a flat off St James’s Street this afternoon which has closed the main road to traffic.
Two engines from Preston Circus and one from Roedean were sent at 2.14pm to reports of smoke issuing from above the Pomegranate Restaurant in Manchester Street.
Three more have since joined them on the scene as the blaze takes hold, with an eye witness saying it appears to have spread to the adjacent flat.
But Kevin Meredith said firefighters now seemed to have the fire under control. He said: “There’s smoke coming out of the first two adjacent top flats in Manchester Street.
“It seems to be in hand now less smoke now. There are four engines, one ladder and command centre here.”
Jeffrey Morris took this video of smoke billowing across rooftops around the area.
Fire on St James Street central Brighton.
Posted by Jeffrey Morris on Tuesday, December 8, 2015
A spokeswoman for East Sussex Fire and rescue said: “East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service is at the scene of a flat fire in Brighton.
“We received a number of 999 calls around 14:15 this afternoon, Tuesday 8 December 2015.
“Four fire engines and an aerial appliance have been sent to the scene in Manchester Street, Kemp Town.”
Buses which normally run along St James’s Street have been diverted along the seafront:
Due to a fire along St James St, our 1,2,7 & 18 services are diverting via the seafront. Apologies for the inconvenience.
— B&H Buses (@BrightonHoveBus) December 8, 2015
Fire on corner of Saint James & Manchester St Brighton. Smoke coming out of 1st 2 adjacent top flats Manchester St pic.twitter.com/j1wUiFTWAe
— Kevin Meredith (@lomokev) December 8, 2015
Fire in St James Street Brighton, opposite Morrisons. Whole damn street stinks of burning plastic…
— Jasper (@BlondJasper) December 8, 2015
More as we get it.
