Firefighters ripped out panelling to quell a fire which threatened to destroy Worthing Town Hall.
The blaze broke out at 11am and the few staff in the building were evacuated.
Fire brigade Assistant Divisional Officer Ray Jackson said: "The smoke spread rapidly through the ducting up to the roof and several rooms on the first floor. Smoke was especially dense in the council chamber."
"The smoke detection system worked very well and we got to work very quickly and prevented a lot more damage from happening."
He said they had to cut away several feet of panelling and flooring to get to the blaze to ensure it did not spread through the 1933 building.
Hywel Griffiths, director of community services, was working in the building when the fire alarm went off.
He said: "Smoke spread throughout the town hall, mainly in the council chamber and adjoining areas, but we don't believe there has been too much damage."
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