Blaze at Bloc nightclub in Old Steine, Brighton, is being treated as arson

Firefighters were called to the Bloc Members Club, in Old Steine, Brighton, next to Revenge, around 9.09pm on Monday evening. 

Police cordoned off Old Steine as firefighters put out the fire on the ground floor. 

The fire is now believed to have been caused deliberately, according to Sussex Police. 

A woman said she had been told by a customer in Bar Revenge that the property had been firebombed, although the police said they could not confirm a petrol bombing at this stage.

Roxanne Gullen, 23, from Portslade, said: “He said someone chucked petrol in there.

“We were on the bus and saw lights, so came to have a look. It is shocking.”

People working in the area reported seeing smoke billowing out the property last night.

 Elouise Saville, 23, working at Revenge bar said: "A man came in asking us to call 999 as he said there was a fire. 

"We could smell the smoke from where we were."

One worker at the Royal Albion Hotel said: "I first knew there was a fire when I saw firemen outside. You could smell the smoke a bit."

East Sussex Fire Service said six fire engines attended the scene and no one was in the building at the time. They also confirmed the accommodation on the two storeys above the bar was vacant.

When The Argus visited the building around 10.45pm yesterday the ground floor of the bar looked heavily fire damaged.

A police officer also stood guard over the property.

The road reopened around 10pm. 

 The three storey property, owned by business man Alan Barrett, was formerly home to Vavoom bar before it became the Bloc Members Club, which closed in 2015. 

A spokesman for Sussex Police said: “At 9.07pm on Monday October 23, police received a report of a fire at Bloc Social Club in Old Steine, Brighton. 

"Officers liaised with East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service to facilitate the safe evacuation of a small number of people from neighbouring flats. No injuries were reported. 

"The fire is now believed to have been caused deliberately and enquiries are continuing. 

"Anyone with any information is asked to report it online at https://sussex.police.uk/appealresponse or call 101 quoting serial 1388 of 23/10. 

"Alternatively, you can visit the Crimestoppers (www.crimestoppers-uk.org) website or contact the independent charity anonymously on 0800 555 111."