Fire has broken out a historic Turkish bath.

Five fire engines are currently at the scene of Medina House in Kings Esplande, Hove, after fire broke out in the building.

Fire crews have closed off the road and arranged a cordon around the building to keep onlookers back.

The fire was called in to the emergency services at about 5.50pm tonight.

The site has been the subject of numerous planning applications in recent years from developer Sirus Taghan who wishes to demolish the building, which opened as a public bath house in 1894, and replace with an apartment block.

A member of staff from nearby restaurant Marrocco’s said: “It seems pretty bad, flames are coming out of the building and there are five fire engines at the scene.

“They closed the road and put a seal around the road but there are a lot of people beyond that who are looking on.”