WITNESSES heard a series of “massive bangs” as a car was torched at a park in the early hours.

Firefighters were called to Easthill Park in Portslade at 1.43am to deal with the incident.

Nearby residents described seeing a “massive cloud of black smoke” hanging over the site of the fire as if “something had exploded”.

A spokeswoman for East Sussex Fire and Rescue service explained that the source of the smoke was a van fire which had been raging upon the service’s arrival at the park.

Firefighters have since determined that the blaze was started deliberately.

She said: “At 1.43am, firefighters from Brighton were called to attend Easthill Park in Portslade following reports of a vehicle fire.

“Crews used two breathing apparatus and two hose reels to extinguish a van fire.

“The cause was deemed as deliberate and Sussex Police were requested to attend.”

A Sussex Police spokeswoman said: "Police and East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service were called to a report of a van on fire in Easthill Park, Portslade, at 1.55am today.

"The Ford Transit van was located in the car park of the park.

"The fire was extinguished by firefighters. No one was hurt but the vehicle was burnt out.

"Police are treating the fire as suspicious and are appealing for witnesses to report online or ring 101 quoting serial 95 of 27/04."