FIREFIGHTERS have brought a fire at a derelict school building in Southwick under control. 

East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service were called to Manor Hall Road, in Southwick, around 6.22pm. 

Crews from eight fire engines were sent to the scene at the derelict Eastbrook Primary School where a single storey building was on fire.

The fire service has advised all residents in the area to keep their doors and windows closed.

Roy Barraclough, station commander Worthing and Shoreham, told The Argus: “Looks like youngsters broke into the school and started a fire – whether it was accidentally or on purpose we don’t know that.

“It looks like people have been playing in the building and started a fire in there. 

“We have knocked down the majority of the fire as it stands at the moment.

“But we were quite concerned about the amount of smoke going over people’s houses and police were giving advice out to make sure people kept their windows closed. 

“We have got the fire under control but because we know someone has been in there then there is a possibility that children could be in the building so we can’t class that out. 

“Some of the building has collapsed, so its quite hard to get firefighters in the building.

“So the difficulty we have now is making sure we do a search of the building because we were told kids had been playing in the building.

“We can’t say no one is in there but we think the likelihood of that is small.”

Residents reported seeing a large smoke plume over the city.  

Jackie Jupp, 60, who has lived on Manor Hall Road for 28 years, first saw the fire at around 6.30pm.

She said: “I heard the fire engine then looked in the garden. I could see flames and thick black smoke.

“There were lots of flames.

“We shut our windows all round the back and the doors.

“It was thick, you couldn’t see the building next door. It was covered in black smoke.”

Fellow resident Darren Kirby, 44, said: “My wife was in front room and she could see smoke.

“When we walked out to look we could see flames and soon we heard the sirens. The smoke was quite thick.

“Even though they have surrounded (the building) it with fences the kid still get in.

“I know it was due to be knocked down and there was notice on.”

Sarah Booker-Lewis told The Argus: "It really stinks of burning rubber.

"You can hear the crackle of flames.

"Smoke visible from Old Shoreham Road Hove."

Police at the scene said they are investigating and treating the fire as arson.

Officers were seen conducting door to door enquiries.

A joint investigation will begin tomorrow.