More than 50 firefighters were last night called to a blaze at a disused shop which may have been started by a firework.

They went to the property in New Road, Littlehampton, shortly before 6:30pm to find the fire had already spread to the first and second floors.

Told people were still trapped inside, firefighters wearing breathing apparatus searched the building.

Additional fire crews were called from Bognor, East Preston, Arundel and Worthing.

Sub officer Brian Charlton was in charge of the first appliance to arrive at the scene.

He praised his crew for quickly bringing the fire under control and completing a search in difficult conditions to establish that no one was inside.

"They worked hard, especially in the early stages and their prompt actions stopped the fire from spreading further."

One firefighter was injured in a fall during the search and was treated at the scene by Sussex Ambulance paramedics.

Building control officers from Arun District Council carried out safety checks on the building.

Fire investigation officers are working to establish the exact cause of the fire but witnesses said youths were seen outside playing with fireworks shortly beforehand.

Incident commander Mark Osborne, from the West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, said: "We are not ruling out any other causes at this time but clearly if this was the result of misusing fireworks it could have resulted in a death or serious injury."

He urged anyone with information to contact fire investigators via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.