A theatre and community arts space has been destroyed in a huge fire.

About 70 firefighters from stations across East Sussex fought to save the Phoenix Theatre in North Street in Lewes and successfully managed to stop the blaze spreading to other buildings.

Fire crews were alerted to the fire at just after 6pm last night as the blaze happened just a matter of metres from the town's fire station.

The cause of the blaze remains unknown and many firefighters have only just left the scene more than 12 hours after the fire began.

One of the first firefighters on the scene told The Argus: "It was a large warehouse, about 30 metres by 50 metres, and it was fully destroyed by fire.

"Fortunately we managed to stop the fire spreading any further.

"The fire was going very strongly from very early on.

"At the moment we don't know what started it."

Jon Tooley, who took the incredible video of the fire, said: "I was driving back to lewes and I saw the smoke and just had my camera in the car.

"It was incredible how quickly it went up.

"Fortunately the wind was taking the smoke away from me, I suffer from emphysema and would not have been able to stand that close to it if not."

Did you see the fire? Have you got pictures or video of the incident?

Then call 01273 544530 or email neil.vowles@theargus.co.uk.