A FIRE in a seafront flat that caused a major road to be closed is being treated as “deliberate”.
Sussex Police have launched an investigation to establish the cause of the fire in a flat in Kings Road, Brighton, yesterday afternoon.
Video from the scene showed smoke billowing from the roof of a building in Regency Square and dozens of emergency services vehicles parked along the A259.
Crews from East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service (ESFRS) used six breathing apparatus and two hose reels to extinguish the fire and a thermal imaging camera to check for hot spots.
A spokesman for the service confirmed that there were no casualties.
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Pictures taken at around 2pm yesterday show ambulance crews working alongside officers from Sussex Police behind a police cordon.
Sussex Police are investigation the cause of the fire, which they believe to have been a “deliberate”.
He said: “Police were called to an address in King’s Road Brighton following reports of a fire at a block of flats.
“Officers attended and after making enquiries believe it to be a deliberate ignition.
“Anyone who has any other information is asked to report it online or call 101, quoting serial 702 of 13/12.”
The Kings Road A259 eastbound was closed while emergency services dealt with the fire and diversions were put in place.
Buses were diverted along Western Road to ease pressure on traffic building up on the seafront.
Dozens of fire fighters could be seen running into Melrose seafood restaurant in Kings Road to gain access to the fire in a neighbouring building.
ESFRS urged people to "avoid the area" while fire crews battled the flames.
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