People urged to avoid area after 'significant' fire

People living in an area of East Sussex have been told to stay away after a fire broke out in an industrial building.

East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service (ESFRS) said it was called shortly after 03:00 GMT to the blaze at Berwick Court Farm, on Alfriston Road, Berwick, and sent six fire engines to the scene.

People living nearby have been told to keep their doors and windows closed as crews attempted to extinguish the fire.

No injuries have been reported. Part of Alfriston Road was closed in both directions by Sussex Police from the A27 to Lullington Road to allow ESFRS to carry out work, but has since reopened. However, drivers have been asked to approach with caution as hoses are stretched across the road.

Tom Glandfield, station manager at ESFRS, described the fire as "significant".

Speaking to BBC Radio Sussex, he said: "There were issues locating the fire initially, but we were grateful to colleagues from the ambulance service who were driving past, spotted the glow and alerted us to it.

"We got the fire under control reasonably quickly thanks to good work from the local team."

Two fire engines remain on site, damping down hotspots and making sure the blaze cannot spread to other buildings.

A fire investigation will be carried out later on Tuesday, Glandfield added.

Paul Lewis, one of the owners of Berwick Court Farm, said he was very grateful the fire service had managed to get the blaze under control.

He said: "We are very grateful nobody was injured.

"It is a big shock - having a fire at any time is concerning. You are worried for who might be impacted by it.

"We will be working hard to get people back to work."

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