Fire investigation under way in Brighton

A fire investigator was due at a badly damaged house on the border of Rottingdean and Saltdean this morning (Friday 8 November).

The investigator was due to meet a building inspector and a representative of UK Power to assess whether it was safe to enter the building.

Their visit was scheduled after a blaze at the empty property in Cranleigh Avenue yesterday (Thursday 7 November).

East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said that it sent seven fire engines to the scene along with two water bowsers and the aerial ladder platform.

The call-out came at about 3.30pm and by about 8pm crews were damping down the building.

The fire service said that the property was badly damaged but the cause of the blaze had not yet been established.

The coast road, the A259 Marine Drive, was closed for a while with traffic being diverted, adding to the regular evening rush-hour jams.