A MAN has been rescued from a fire on the 13th floor of a block of flats in Kemp Town.

East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service were called to what has been described as a "significant" fire in Montague Street, Kemp Town, at 5.14pm.

Initially four crews were sent to the scene after several 999 calls were received. 

The fire started on the 13th floor of the flats at Essex Place.

Fire officials escalated their presence and asked for ten engines to attend the blaze.

Crews in attendance were: Preston Circus, Roedean, Hove, Newhaven, Seaford, Barcombe, Hailsham and Haywards Heath along with the aerial ladder platform from Preston Circus, the control unit from Lewes and four officers. 

Firefighters used main jets and breathing apparatus to tackle the blaze.

One man was rescued and taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital for treatment. It is not known at this stage what his injuries are or his condition.

Argus reporter Flora Thompson who lives nearby said: "Residents on the ground believe the fire is on the 13th floor.

"One man told me people were not allowed back in but I can see residents are still in the flats on lower floors.

"There appears to be lots of movement on upper floors with lights going off and on, firefighters in the flats and residents moving around.

"On the street there are a number of unmarked police cars and a large police cordon in place.

"There are still sirens going off and emergency service vehicles arriving all the time.

"There are no visible signs of casualties or indications as to how serious the fire is at this stage but is in big block of flats."

Three fire crew remain at the scene as of 8.50pm.

An investigation will be launched on Sunday morning into the cause of the fire.

Sussex Police have taken control of the area.