Brighton and Hove firefighters help tackle theatre blaze

Firefighters from Brighton and Hove joined dozens of colleagues trying to fight the fire that destroyed a theatre in Lewes at the weekend.

They were among about 40 firefighters sent to tackle the blaze at the Phoenix Theatre in North Street, Lewes, on Saturday evening (29 March).

The alarm was raised shortly after 6pm, East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said.

It said that the fire was believed to have started accidentally.

The fire service added: “The fire caused serious damage to the building but the occupants evacuated quickly and there were no reports of injuries.”

Crews prevented the fire from spreading to neighbouring buildings.

The aerial ladder platform based at Preston Circus in Brighton was called to the scene. Crews from Brighton and Hove joined colleagues from Lewes, Newhaven, Uckfield and Hailsham.