An explosion tore off part of a flat's roof and blew out a window in Saltdean last night.

A woman and her daughter fled the blast.

A man, believed to be in his 40s, was arrested at the scene and taken to the John Street police station, Brighton, for questioning.

Emergency services were called to the flat above the Happy Shopper store in Lustrells Vale, Saltdean, shortly after 10.30pm.

The explosion was caused when a fire inside the flat ignited two butane gas lighter cylinders.

A fire brigade spokesman said: "The cylinders are only about three or four inches long but they can make a pretty big bang."