FIREFIGHTERS battled through the night to extinguish a manhole blaze in the city centre.

Buildings were evacuated and a 30-metre cordon was put in place while crews worked to stop the electrical fire in Kings Road, Brighton last night.

Crews rushed to the scene at 6pm, checking nearby buildings, before work was carried out to isolate utility gas which continued to burn through the evening.

The busy A259 has now been reopened as Sussex Police take over from the fire service.

An East Sussex Fire and Rescue spokesman said: "East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service handed over the scene at Kings Road, Brighton to Sussex Police at just after 1am this morning.

"It's after a fire in a manhole.

"We were called at 6pm on January 25.

"Work was carried out to isolate utilities as gas was continuing to burn. "No injuries were reported.

"Roads may still be affected this morning and so members of the public are asked to check local travel bulletins for the latest information."

A video shared on Twitter showed the scale of the blaze, with flames spitting from the pavement.

One passerby said: “I couldn’t believe it. It looked like the pavement was on fire.”

The fire happened near the Harbour Hotel which is where the England Rugby team is staying ahead of the Six Nations clash against Wales.

A spokesman from Sussex Police said: "Around 6.30pm on Tuesday 25 January, police were alerted by the fire service to an electrical fire in Kings Road, Brighton.

"Police assisted with road closures and traffic control throughout the night, and officers stood down from the scene as of 6.30am on Wednesday."