A man has been helping police with their inquiries after flames tore through a waste company HQ in Littlehampton early today.

Dozens of people were evacuated from their homes and more than 75 firefighters were called to the Onyx building on the Harwood Road industrial estate shortly after 11.30 last night.

One man was rescued from the blazing building but a second man who had been feared trapped inside was later found safe and well.

Police evacuated nearby homes because of thick smoke.

A spokesman said: "A large number of residents were taken to a village hall. They were allowed to return to their homes three hours later."

At the height of the blaze a mezzanine floor inside the complex collapsed. Fire crews had to fight the flames from outside the complex.

Onyx empties dustbins for Arun District Council in Littlehampton, Bognor and Arundel.

Onyx's management were unavailable for comment, but one member of staff at the gate said: "All our crews are out working as usual."

A fire brigade spokesman said: "Due to the early efforts of the first crew the fire was prevented from spreading to other buildings, although there was smoke and water damage."

The fire brigade said it expected to have crews at the scene for most of today.

George Kennedy, 81, who was evacuated with his wife Constance, 75, said: "It looked very bad. There was a hell of a lot of smoke and in fact there seemed to be more smoke than flames."

Another witness said: "There were fire engines and police cars everywhere and an awful lot of smoke."

Police say they are treating the fire as suspicious and have been interviewing a 20-year-old Bognor man.

Anyone with information should call Detective Sergeant Colin Smith on 0845 6070999.