Huge blaze in Uckfield High Street (From The Argus)

1:12pm

The High Street is now unlikely to reopen until 4pm, and then only partially because of the fire damage. 

12:23pm

Uckfield High Street is still closed. You can read our live traffic report on the incident here.

It currently reads: 

High Street closed due to building fire at four properties between B2102 High Street and Civic Approach. Also affecting London Road between Cooper Green Road and A272 / A26 (Budletts Roundabout) The fire broke out around 23:00 last night. One fire crew is still on scene damping down. Brighton and Hove buses are running from Uckfield bus station. Unlikely to reopen until after 16:00, and then only partially due to fire damage. Diversion: Via the A22

12:09pm

That Sussex Police appeal in full:

Police are appealing for information following a fire in Uckfield High Street last night (Sunday).

At around 11pm a fire was started behind the charity shop Sense. The fire caused significant damage to several buildings and meant that nearby residents were evacuated.

The High Street and surrounding roads are currently closed to allow investigation work to be carried out and so that the buildings can be made safe.

It is believed that the fire started in a bin behind the shops.

Detective Sergeant Lee Floyd of East Sussex CID said: "We believe that this fire was started deliberately and would appeal for anyone with information about who may have started it to contact police.

"Thankfully no-one was injured during the fire but it has caused a lot of damage to the shops close to where it was started."
Neighbourhood Policing Team officers will remain in the area for the next few days speaking to residents and businesses about any concerns or information they may have.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Sussex Police on 101 quoting Operation Fullstop or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

12:08pm

12:07pm

11:23am

From East Sussex Fire and Rescue: 

Uckfield firefighters were called to a ‘bin fire’ in Olives Yard, off the High Street, last night (Sunday 2nd Sept) at 11pm but on arrival found that the fire had already spread to the roofs of several shops and offices.

Additional fire appliances were immediately requested and at its height forty firefighters from Uckfield, Crowborough, Barcombe, Lewes and Heathfield tackled the blaze along with the Aerial Ladder Platform from Preston Circus. Crews fought to contain the fire as it ripped through the roof voids.

Watch Commander Ian Ritchie said: “The early collapse of the roofs prevented firefighters from entering the buildings in the early stages, as the fire rapidly developed. An adjacent block of flats was evacuated as the fire threatened to spread further but this was prevented as the fire was brought under control, with the aid of an aerial ladder platform, seven firefighting jets and one- in- seven- foam.

"Crews worked for several hours to contain the blaze and will remain at the scene damping down for some considerable time, once the buildings are made safe.”

Police and fire crews are currently at the scene and are investigating the cause of the fire, which is under investigation. No-one was injured.

Wealden Borough Commander, Mark Matthews, said: “Local crews from Uckfield were faced with a rapidly developing fire which had already taken hold and was affecting a number of shops and flats. The crews worked extremely hard to contain the fire to one block, which after some decisive action by crews was achieved.

“It is already clear that this fire will have a dramatic effect on the owners and employees of the businesses that have been destroyed, a consequence that is so easily overlooked by those not affected. 

“Wealden fire resources will again be deployed within the High Street today to offer reassurance and critical fire safety advice to residents and business owners and employees."

East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service would remind property occupiers of the importance of storing their refuse in a safe manner, away from their building and consider the use of lockable commercial bins.

11:13am

A gallery of pictures of the blaze and its aftermath is now online.

It features pictures by Ron Hill, Andy Knight and Matt Brown. Pictures from our photographer Tony Wood will be added shortly.

10:26am

Apologies for the lack of updates - technical problems mean we can't upload pictures at the moment. 

We have, however, been speaking to Neil Edwards, managing director at marketing company The Marketing Eye, who said his office has been destroyed by the blaze.

He said: “I’ve had better Mondays. I was supposed to be going to London for an appointment when I got a call saying there had been a fire in the office.

"I thought it would be a small kitchen fire. It has been totally destroyed. Fortunately our clients details are backed up off site and none of our seven staff members were injured. We have had several offers of temporary accommodation.

"The community has been absolutely amazing.  It will take at least 12 months to get back on track but we are insured so there is light at the end of the tunnel.”

10:26am

Mandy Hutton, manager of the destroyed Sense charity shop, says she is "in a state of shock". She says: "I got a phone call late last night and I couldn't believe it. Everything is devastated. Apparently some kids set fire to the bins out back. I hope they realise the damage and pain they have caused."

10:15am

9:34am

Our reporter Bill Gardner is in Uckfield, where the fire appears to be out and builders are moving in, tearing blackened tiles from the roof. 

Bill has justs spoken to 20-year-old Ben Miller, who spotted the smoke coming from the back of the burning building and called 999 at 10.30pm last night. 

Ben raced round the back of the building and watched as flames shoot from charity bins into a nearby airduct. The airduct exploded and Ben rushed around nearby flats warning everyone to get out. 

Hero Ben said: "The fire just got bigger and bigger. It was the scariest moment of my life."

8:22am

Sussex Police have said that roads in Uckfield are currently closed following the fire.

The High Street is currently closed to all traffic from the junction of Bell Lane in the south to Church Street in the North.

London Road is closed at the Budletts roundabout at the junction of the A26/A272 to southbound traffic.

A further closure is in place at the junction of Coopers Green Road and London Road.

It is advised that the public avoid Uckfield and use the A22 Uckfield bypass.

There is no access to the High Street from any direction and it is thought that the closures will be in place until at least midday.

Police and fire crews are currently at the scene and are investigating the cause of the fire.

Anyone with information about how the fire may have started is asked to contact Sussex Police on 101 quoting Operation Fullstop or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

8:13am

8:11am

8:04am

A spokeswoman for East Sussex Fire and Rescue said 12 people were evacuated from nearby flats as soon as the fire was reported at around 11pm last night. She said: "Luckily no one was in the shops at the time."

7:55am

Firefighters say they are still dampening down hot spots inside the buildings.
 

7:50am

Four properties have been damaged in the blaze including charity shops for the British Heart Foundation and Sense.
 

7:44am

A high street was ablaze last night as flames ripped through five shops.

Firefighters are still battling a fire in Uckfield which started at around 11pm.

Reports suggest the fire may have been caused by charity bins set alight behind the building.

It then spread into the eaves of the surrounding shops.

A spokesman for East Sussex Fire and Rescue said the buildings may have to be pulled down this morning as they are too badly damaged.

Six engines from across Sussex rushed to the scene to try and douse the flames last night.

A ladder was used to pour water into the roof but hours later the fire is still not completely out.

No one was hurt in the blaze.

7:42am

7:41am

Five shops will be torn down this morning after flames ripped through a high street building overnight.

Firefighters are still battling a blaze in Uckfield which started at around 11pm.

Reports suggest the fire on the town’s High Street may have been caused by charity bins set alight behind the building.

It spread into the eaves of the surrounding buildings.

Six engines from across Sussex rushed to the scene to try and douse the flames last night.

A ladder was used to pour water into the roof but hours later the fire is still not completely out.

A spokesman from East Sussex Fire and Rescue said no one had been hurt in the blaze.