Pictures reveal the extent of the damage caused by an inferno that destroyed a former care home.

Fire crews from West Sussex, East Sussex and Surrey, along with police and ambulance teams, were called to the fire that erupted in Bolnore Farm Lane, near Haywards Heath, yesterday evening.

Flames could be seen leaping into the sky, with embers from the blaze being carried by strong winds that battered the county overnight.

Part of the building’s roof was filmed collapsing as the fire devoured the structure, with ten fire engines called to the scene to tackle the blaze, along with an aerial platform.

Images from above the burning structure show much of the former care home completely gutted by the inferno.

Firefighters at Haywards Heath Fire Station described the blaze as a “challenging incident” and that crews are continuing operations at the site.

The B2272 has been reopened after being closed for several hours while emergency services responded to the incident, with fire crews still at the scene.

It is not believed that anyone was inside the building at the time the fire started at around 7pm last night.