Fallen tree traps people inside Hove house

The occupants of a house in Hove were trapped inside the building after the storm uprooted a tree yesterday morning (Monday 28 October).

Two crews from Hove Fire Station turned out to rescue them, with Sussex Police closing the road, Nizells Avenue, while they dealt with the incident.

East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said: “Crews attended 18 call-outs, including one incident involving a tree which had been uprooted and had fallen, trapping the occupants of a house in Nizells Avenue, Hove, at 6.28am this morning.

“Sussex Police were forced to close the tree-lined road, due to the nature of the incident and the number of trees in the vicinity.

“A large tree had been blown down by the strong winds which obstructed both the front and the side entrance of the property as well as falling on a car.

Crew Commander Dan Ball said: “Thankfully, no one was trapped in the car but the occupiers were unable to get out of their house.

“The large tree had also taken down a traffic parking meter and possibly a street light, raising concerns about the possibility of live cabling being exposed.

“Firefighters used saws to remove branches from the tree to enable the residents to safely leave their property.”

No one was injured and crews remained at the scene until 7.10am.

Other incidents included

Sunday 27 October

11.54am Brighton firefighters made the area safe after a summer house roof is blown off into neighbouring properties.

1.35pm Brighton firefighters used the aerial ladder platform to secure loose facia boarding at the Giraffe restaurant in North Road.

2.53pm Brighton firefighters used the aerial ladder platform to secure a dangerous aerial in Ivory Place in Morley Street, Brighton.

Monday 28 October

5.54am Brighton and Hove firefighters were called to a property in Sussex Square, Kemp Town, Brighton, after a ceiling collapsed.

5.59am Hove firefighters were called out to Texaco Kingsway after reports of a dangerous structure.

6am Hove firefighters were called to Trafalgar Street, Brighton, after reports of loose roof tiles.

6.05am Brighton firefighters secured a large section of a metal corrugated roof which had come loose in Warren Avenue, Woodingdean.

2.22pm Brighton firefighters secured a loose facia five floors above the pavement in New Church Road, Hove.