Dozens of families were evacuated from their homes after arsonists targeted a scout hut.

Nine crews of firefighters from across East Sussex spent four hours battling the blaze at Wainwright Road in Bexhill last night after it spread from recycling bins to lorries parked outside the building and then on to the hut itself.

More than 50 people called the emergency services and several reported hearing a series of explosion at the site on the Beeching Road industrial estate as the fire took hold at 10.30pm.

Residents from neighbouring houses were evacuated from their homes and only allowed to return once the area had been made safe.

The power supply to the area was shut down this morning and is due to be unavailable for six hours while safety repair work is carried out.

East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said the scout hut had been badly damaged and Sussex Police said the fire seemed to have been deliberately started. No-one was hurt. An investigation into the blaze was launched this morning.

Inspector Howard Nevill said: "This was an extremely nasty incident which could have had more serious consequences.

"Police are conducting house to house enquiries and are keen to hear from anyone who might have seen people hanging around in the area just prior to emergency services being called."

Anyone with information should call Sussex Police on 0845 6070999 quoting Operation Hazard or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.