Residents were evacuated after a fire in a basement flat which was thought to have been started deliberately this afternoon (Saturday 29 August).
East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said that crews were sent to a basement flat fire at a residential building in Warleigh Road, Brighton, at 2.11pm today.
The fire service: “Four crews are currently at the incident and residents have been evacuated.
“Please avoid the area and nearby residents have been advised to keep doors and windows closed.
“Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus are tackling the fire using one hose-reel jet and one main jet which had spread to the first floor of the building.”
The fire service issued an update, saying: “As of 3.30pm, all persons have been accounted for and both police and ambulance are in attendance.
“Electrics have been isolated and UK Power Networks have been requested to attend.
“Smoke reported to have affected all three floors of building.
“The incident has now been scaled back to one appliance.”
In a further update, the fire service said: “As of 3.44pm, all crews have now left the scene and a stop message has been received.
“The incident has now been handed over to the police.”
A neighbour said that the police had blocked off each end of the road.
She said: “They suspect arson. We still have a police presence outside as it’s crime scene.
“It is a whole house operating as an HMO (house in multiple occupation) and the fire started in the communal kitchen / living area in the basement. Someone has been arrested.”
