Arsonists are thought to have set fire to a pile of rubbish in a block of flats in Eastbourne.
Firefighters rushed to the blaze at St George's flats in Salehurst Road.
Rubbish in a cupboard on a landing had caught fire and the building became smokelogged.
The flats were mostly empty and two residents were already outside when firefighters arrived.
Thermal-imaging cameras were used to check the building was empty.
No one was hurt in the fire, which broke out at 9.49pm yesterday.
Police are treating the blaze as deliberate and anyone with information is asked to contact them on 0845 6070999.
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