A man has been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life after a fire in a basement flat in Brighton yesterday (Saturday 29 August).
East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said that it was called out at 2.11pm and sent four crews who had evacuated people from a three-storey building in Warleigh Road, Brighton.
The fire was understood to have started in the kitchen and living area in the basement of a shared house or HMO (house in multiple occupation).
It spread to the first floor of the building and firefighters in breathing apparatus used a main jet and a hose-reel jet to put out the blaze.
It took less than two hours for the fire service to finish dealing with the incident, with everyone safely accounted for although the smoke affected all three floors of the building.
By mid-afternoon, the fire service said: “The incident has now been handed over to the police.”
Sussex Police said: “A 33-year-old man, from Brighton, has been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life.
“It follows a fire at a property in Warleigh Road, Brighton, on Saturday 29 August.
“The suspect remains in custody at this time.”
Sussex Police asked anyone with information about the incident to contact the force online or by calling 101.
