Hundreds of people evacuated after Worthing fire

The area evacuated has now been reduced, and people are being allowed back into their homes - see the 1.30pm update below for more.

Thousands of train commuters trying to get to work and school were left stranded as the South Coast rail line through Worthing was closed.

Firefighters were called to a blaze off Canterbury Road, Worthing, at 1.45am at Shines car valeting workshop.

Crews were forced to back off after discovering acetylene cylinders at the scene.

Around 250 homes were evacuated, with many residents in their nightclothes going to stay with friends and relatives.

Around 50 people went to an emergency reception centre at Worthing Leisure Centre in Shaftesbury Avenue.

Keep visiting here for rolling updates on the incident.

Have you been caught up in the incident?

Leave your messages below and send your photographs to picture.desk@theargus.co.uk

8am

West Sussex Fire and Rescue spokesman Gary Towson said: “Closing the railway line is not something we do lightly.

"It is with great reluctance we do that sort of thing.

“But we are damned if we do and damned if we don’t.

“In previous years firefighters and members of the public have been killed by gas cylinders exploding.”

Christine Coulson, 69, of Ely Road, was ordered to evacuate at 6am.

She said: “It frightened me. “They said 'there could be an explosion and you have got to evacuate'.”

8.20am

Disruption is being caused to rail services between Worthing and Littlehampton, with stations affected including Angmering, Goring, Durrington and West Worthing.

Alternative transport is being provided for travellers.

Rail operator Southern said cancellations and short-notice timetable changes should be expected by commuters in the area this morning.

Click here for live updates from Southern on how train services are running

The 200m cordon could remain in place until at least 5pm when it will be reassessed but may be kept for up to 24 hours.

8.35am

Police have started to evacuate home to the south of railway line, outside the cordon.

Tarring Road is currently closed to the west of West Avenue.

Officers are now starting to knock on doors in nearby roads including Reigate Road to ask residents to leave.

9am

51 people are currently at the emergency reception centre at Worthing Leisure Centre.

Claudia Canales, 20, was evacuated from her home in Canterbury Road with her 16-year-old sister Daniela and parents Francisco and Virginia Basquez, both 43.

Miss Canales said: “The police knocked on our door at about 5.30am. We just had time to grab out clothes and then get out.

“There were police and fire engines in the street and the police were knocking on everyone’s doors to get them out.

“We could see the fire right behind our house.

“We were all quite calm but then when we arrived here and there are people who have been here since about 2am, we realised this is quite serious.

“We don’t really have anywhere else to go tonight so we hope we can get home.”

9.30am

Worthing Borough Council starts tweeting updates using the hashtag #tarringfire.

It says Worthing Leisure Centre is still open as usual, and that it will try and empty bins in the affected area today, but if it can’t, it will try again tomorrow.

10.30am

More people have arrived at Worthing Leisure Centre as police continue to evacuate homes in the area.

Maureen Evans, 74 and her husband Malcolm, 67, live in Friar Walk. They were taken by ambulance to the leisure centre.

Mrs Evans said: “We heard banging at about midnight and I thought it was fireworks in the beginning.

“Then my dog started growling, which is unusual.

“When we got outside there was a strong smell like asbestos or rubber burning, it was a chemical smell.

“I had to put my jacket over my mouth but it still came through and I could feel my chest tightening.

“I have asthma and I was worried I might have a panic attack.”

Riadh Kheddache, 40, his wife Amina, 27 and children Adel, four and Malik, three, also live in Friar Walk.

Mr Kheddache said: “We were standing in the street for about two hours in just our pyjamas and jackets and we were breathing in all of this smoke.

“I can still feel the smoke in my chest now. I was holding my children to try and keep them warm.”

Red Cross volunteers set up a refreshments tent at the junction of Canterbury Road and South Street, Tarring.

At the height of the incident more than 60 firefighters and 40 police officers were deployed.

Police chief inspector Kevin Jenkins said: “We are working together with partnership agencies to minimise disruption, open the roads and rail services, and return people to their homes as soon as we possibly can.”

A Southern railway spokesman said: “Due to a fire adjacent to the track between West Worthing and Durrington, the fire brigade has imposed a 200m exclusion zone around the area.

“As a result, a rail replacement bus service is operating between Littlehampton and Worthing in both directions, calling at Angmering, Goring-by-Sea and West Worthing stations.

“Some cancellations, short notice alterations and delays can be expected in the area.

“Because of the nature of the fire, it is expected that the lines will be closed until at least 4pm.

“Please allow extra time for your overall journey.

“We would like to thank passengers for their patience and understanding during this period of disruption.”

11.30am

A second evacuation centre has been opened by council bosses.

A spokesman for West Sussex County Council said it had opened The Rowans Daycare Centre in Steeple View, Tarring, for residents.

He said: "We are doing everything we can to help local residents. Three coaches are being used to assist in evacuating homes and social workers are also on standby providing assistance."

At Worthing Leisure Centre residents were served tea, coffee, biscuits and bacon sandwiches for breakfast.

Manager Duncan Anderson said he was alerted shortly after 3am and that people started arriving at the centre an hour later.

At 11am about 30 residents were left at the centre. Some with nowhere else to go might have to be put up in bed and breakfast accommodation overnight.

Worthing Borough Council spokeswoman Wendy Knight said: “People came along in various states of dress. They had just five minutes to gather what they needed and get out.”

11.55am

Chief Inspector James Asser, of Sussex Police, said some residents will not be able to return home until tomorrow.

He said: "This is a significant incident. "The measures are precautionary in nature and at the heart of that is public safety.

"Our priority is returning residents to their homes but not at the cost of safety.

"We are constantly assessing the situation, but whatever happens there will be a section of the community which won't be able to return until 9am tomorrow."

1.30pm

The cordon around homes has been reduced after firefighters assessed the site.

The exclusion zone is now 75 metres and includes 41 homes, instead of the previous 250.

The railway line has also been re-opened.

Some homes in Canterbury Road and Friar Walk fall within the new cordon, which was reduced from 200 metres.

West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service (WSFR) are ensuring the safety of the cylinders and will re-assess the position at 9am tomorrow morning.

The cause of the fire is still unknown.

CI Asser said: "Following the WSFRS assessment we are pleased to have reduced the cordon to lessen disruption to residents and rail users.

“Their safety has been of paramount importance in this operation.

“Unfortunately some residents will be unable to return home tonight and alternative arrangements are being made for them by Worthing Borough Council.

"We really appreciate everyone's support over this operation. We have been working with all agencies and the voluntary sector including the Red Cross. We shall remain overnight to provide protection for the area.

"Overnight accommodation arrangements for people still evacuated will be made by the council and other agencies."

Anyone who has any queries about accommodation arrangements or the whereabouts of friends or relations should contact Worthing Leisure Centre on 01903 502237.

2.20pm

Southern Railway says the lines are now open, although services are still reduced.

In a statement on its website, it says: "The line is now open and trains are calling at stations in the affected area.

"However, in ensuring that trains and train crews are in the correct positions to accommodate the evening peak, services in the area will be a little patchy for the remainder of the afternoon. Rail replacement buses will remain in place between Littlehampton and Worthing until around 2pm to support the revised train service."