TWO hundred tonnes of rubbish are on fire, forcing police to close part of the A27 in  the Lewes area.

Fire broke out at the Greystone Quarry at Southerham, on the outskirts of Lewes, at just after 7pm on Thursday.

A large plume of black smoke, that could be seen from miles around, began to drift to the south of the town and towards the South Downs beyond Kingston.

East Susssex Fire and Rescue Service said in a statement: "Crews from Lewes, Barcombe, Brighton, Newhaven, Heathfield, Crowborough and Uckfield and Command Unit from Bexhill are currently in attendance at a large rubbish fire at a waste management company just off the Southerham roundabout in Lewes.

"The A27 is now closed both ways between Beddingham roundabout and the southerham roundabout."

Sussex Police said the road is expected to continue to be closed throughout the night.

Drivers are being asked to remain clear of the area for at least the rest of the evening.

People living in Kingston and then downwind in the areas from Falmer to Woodingdean have been warned to keep doors and windows closed to avoid being affected by the smoke.

However, the measures are only precautionary as the smoke is dissipating as it heads towards the coast and is not believed to be of any significant risk to health.

Community answers

Large rubbish fire, Southerham

"Send us your pictures of the fire"

We asked for your responses - this is what you sent.

From Olivia Fox

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From matt jammy

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The Argus: the view of the clouds of smoke from bates estate!the view of the clouds of smoke from bates estate!

From Russ A

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From Russ A

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From Russell A

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From Laura Bellamy

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The Argus: Views of the fire from Lewes.Views of the fire from Lewes.
The Argus: Views of the fire from Lewes.Views of the fire from Lewes.

From Daley McLennan

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The Argus: The smoke from Lancing beachThe smoke from Lancing beach

From Lyndsey Spencer

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From Matthew Marsland

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The Argus: Pictures taken from Lewes golf course.Pictures taken from Lewes golf course.
The Argus: Pictures taken from Lewes golf course.Pictures taken from Lewes golf course.
The Argus: Pictures taken from Lewes golf course.Pictures taken from Lewes golf course.
The Argus: Pictures taken from Lewes golf course.Pictures taken from Lewes golf course.

From Zoe Langley

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The Argus: Photo taken from the A27 before it was closedPhoto taken from the A27 before it was closed

From tania House

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The Argus: Taken right on the A27 near Southeram, and on Lancing Beach.Taken right on the A27 near Southeram, and on Lancing Beach.
The Argus: Taken right on the A27 near Southeram, and on Lancing Beach.Taken right on the A27 near Southeram, and on Lancing Beach.

From Sullivan George

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The Argus: From North Chailey, looking through a first floor window.7 1/2 miles as the crow flies. Normally it's clouds we see brewing over the Downs, not this :(From North Chailey, looking through a first floor window.7 1/2 miles as the crow flies. Normally it's clouds we see brewing over the Downs, not this :(

From Tina Clasen

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From Chloe Gorbell

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The Argus: View from PortsladeView from Portslade

From Walter Greyhound

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The Argus: From WoodingdeanFrom Woodingdean
The Argus: From WoodingdeanFrom Woodingdean

From Bryn R

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The Argus: View of Lewes fire from Castle Hill BrightonView of Lewes fire from Castle Hill Brighton

From Tammy Mullarkey

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From Paul Stapleton

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The Argus: From the Chattri.From the Chattri.

From LK Roe

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From Irene Soler

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The Argus: View from allotment in Whitehawk and the smoke (and smell) arriving to Brighton seafrontView from allotment in Whitehawk and the smoke (and smell) arriving to Brighton seafront
The Argus: View from allotment in Whitehawk and the smoke (and smell) arriving to Brighton seafrontView from allotment in Whitehawk and the smoke (and smell) arriving to Brighton seafront

From Arkadius Kisiecki

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From Jo Goddard

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The Argus: View of Lewes fire from Worthing seafront.View of Lewes fire from Worthing seafront.

From Tim Carder

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The Argus: Lewes fireLewes fire

From Community contributor

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The Argus: Smoke over the train just leaving lewesSmoke over the train just leaving lewes

From Jo Hazelgrive

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The Argus: Looked like a tornadoLooked like a tornado
The Argus: Looked like a tornadoLooked like a tornado

From Louise D

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The Argus: From Devils DykeFrom Devils Dyke

From Daisy Woods

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From Tammy Mullarkey

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From Phil Dey

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The Argus: Sight from shoreham beach!Sight from shoreham beach!

From Doug Klein

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From Burdy Farmer

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The Argus: View from the 29 bus near Hope-in-the-valleyView from the 29 bus near Hope-in-the-valley

From Charlotte Every

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The Argus: View of fire from WinterbourneView of fire from Winterbourne

From Community contributor

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The Argus: From Portslade Old VillageFrom Portslade Old Village

From Peter Robbins

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The Argus: Photos of Lewes fire , one from behind the brewery and one from Timberyard lanePhotos of Lewes fire , one from behind the brewery and one from Timberyard lane
The Argus: Photos of Lewes fire , one from behind the brewery and one from Timberyard lanePhotos of Lewes fire , one from behind the brewery and one from Timberyard lane

From Mike Labelle

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The Argus: Fire in lewes, seen from the race course in BrightonFire in lewes, seen from the race course in Brighton

From Jamie Cave

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The Argus: Lewes fire from the station look out toward the A27Lewes fire from the station look out toward the A27
The Argus: Lewes fire from the station look out toward the A27Lewes fire from the station look out toward the A27
The Argus: Lewes fire from the station look out toward the A27Lewes fire from the station look out toward the A27
The Argus: Lewes fire from the station look out toward the A27Lewes fire from the station look out toward the A27

From Community contributor

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The Argus: 20:05 tonight20:05 tonight

From Paul Baker

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The Argus: Smoke in the sky as seen from Shoreham Harbour.Overwhelming smell of  smoke has forced closure of windows!Smoke in the sky as seen from Shoreham Harbour.Overwhelming smell of smoke has forced closure of windows!

From Chloe Pollard

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