A double arsonist torched the same building twice last night.

At 9.50pm a bin store outside high-rise, eight-storey flats in Milton Mount, Crawley, were set alight.

Three pumps, from Crawley, Horley and Haywards Heath – with the aerial platform, turned up and put out the blaze.

But less than an hour later at 10.40pm a ground floor flat was torched in the same building.

On this occasion 50 people were evacuated.

A West Sussex Fire and Rescue spokesman said: “We cleared the corridors to ensure people’s safety. The flat was 25% affected by smoke and 25% affected by fire.”

Crews from Crawley, Horley, Haywards Heath, Turners Hill and Horsham attended.

Residents were allowed back in at midnight.

Sussex Police are investigating and a man has been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life.

He added: A man was arrested on Wednesday evening after emergency services were called twice to fires in a block of flats in Crawley.

"Firefighters were first called to Milton Mount Flats in Milton Mount Avenue around 8.15pm.

"They discovered that a fire appeared to have been deliberately started in a bin store and alerted police.

"At 10.40pm, police and firefighters were called back to the scene where a fire had started in a ground floor flat.

"Shortly afterwards, a 25-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life.

"He was in custody at Crawley on Thursday morning.

"Two women were taken to the East Surrey Hospital suffering from smoke inhalation, but returned home later.

"A number of children were among the residents evacuated from the flats.

"Police officers arranged for a supply of blankets from the Crawley Custody Centre to keep them warm while they waited for the all clear to return to their homes.

"Any witnesses or anyone with information about the fires is asked to call 0845 60 70 999 quoting serial 1698 of 18/05."