An emergency operation was launched after an abandoned van carrying a high-pressure gas cylinder was set on fire on a petrol station forecourt.
Fire crews from Brighton joined colleagues from the East Sussex division at the BP garage, Pyecombe, at 10pm yesterday.
The slip-road leading to the station on the southbound carriageway of the A23 was closed as the propane cylinder was dealt with.
They spent almost two hours on the scene ensuring the van, gutted in the blaze, was made safe.
A fire service spokesman said: "This was potentially a very serious incident."
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