Forty firefighters tackle blaze next to Brighton theatre

Fire damaged a flat over a restaurant in the centre of Brighton last night (Saturday 1 January).

The fire, over Pinocchio’s restaurant in New Road, Brighton, a few doors from the Theatre Royal, was reported to East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service shortly before 7pm.

Ten fire engines, including two from West Sussex, the aerial ladder platform and a control unit and more than 40 firefighters were sent to tackle the blaze.

The Italian restaurant was evacuated and fire crews spent more than three hours bringing the blaze under control.

The flat was badly damaged in the fire which started in a cavity between the flat and the roof of the four-storey building.

The last crew left shortly before 6.30am today after a reinspection.

No one was injured in the fire which was believed to have started accidentally.