A MAJOR fire ripped through flats above shops in Worthing on Monday night.
More than sixty firefighters battled the blaze which broke out in the second floor of a building in Rectory Road.
Firefighters were called at 6.38pm and sent ten engines with two aerial ladder platforms to the scene.
Police were called and closed the road.
A spokesman said everyone who lived in the building had been accounted for and there were not believed to be any casualties.
Residents who escaped the blaze took shelter at the Thomas a Becket pub on the other side of the street.
But the pub had to be evacuated at about 7.30pm due to the smoke.
Landlady Stacey Croft said everyone who lived in the flats was OK but very upset.
Ashley-John Cattermole posted on the Argus Facebook page: “It’s my sister’s home, they are all out safe. She is devastated as she has lost everything.”
And Lesley Healey said: “This is my family member. The fire has destroyed everything in her home and she has been left with nothing. She is a single mum with three children.”
Another bystander, who asked not to be named, said: “The damage was just incredible. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
At one stage a burning section of the roof collapsed into the street.
One witness said: “It just came down with an almighty crash.”
The fire brigade warned nearby residents to keep their doors and windows closed to keep out the smoke.
One woman at the scene said: “I hate to think how the owners are feeling at the moment, but I guess the important thing is nobody is hurt.”
A fire service statement at 10.34pm said: "Building fire in Rectory Road, Worthing, now largely under control.
"We will be working through the night to damp down hotspots.
"Hopefully most roads will reopen by 6am and we’re looking to get as many businesses up and running by the morning, though some will be affected.
"Rectory Road in Worthing will remain closed into tomorrow morning but otherwise the Thomas a Becket junction should hopefully be open for the morning rush-hour."
Worthing fire station posted on Twitter: "We did the best we could tonight difficult fire to fight and sadly 10 flats and 5 shops badly affected."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article