A FIRE broke out in a block of retirement flats this afternoon.

Four fire crews attended Patching Lodge in Park Street, Brighton, after a staff member raised the alarm at 3.20pm when a fire broke out on the third floor of the seven storey building.

Just before 4pm an East Sussex Fire and Rescue spokesman said the fire had been extinguished and the crews from Roedean, Preston Circus and Hove stations were beginning to leave the scene and added: “An initial investigation has been carried out and the fire is thought to have been accidental.”

There were no reports of any injuries. The extent of the damage is not yet clear.

A spokesman for Hanover, a housing provider which operates the building, said: “We can confirm that a small fire broke out in a staff room on the third floor of Patching Lodge. The fire was confined to the staff room.

“Although it is too early to confirm the cause of the fire we can confirm that nobody was evacuated and there have been no casualties.”

Brighton and Hove City Council nominates people to live at the centre - which has 76 self contained apartments – but is not involved in the everyday operations.

A council spokesman said a representative attended the scene and said: “The scheme manager has now launched an investigation as to why the fire started.”

He added that in any event of damage or injury in this sort of situation the council would provide respite facilities for any residents who needed it. But this is not thought to be the case in this instance.