Fire crews to remain at site of North Street fire all day

Police and fire crews were called shortly after 5am after smoke was seen billowing from the building in North Street, Brighton.

The road was shut for nine-and-a-half hours, reopening shortly after 2.30pm.

Sussex Police say there have been no reported injuries in connection with the fire, and it is not being treated as suspicious.

The scene in North Street, Brighton, at 7am

Officers cordoned off the road as firefighters got to work, using an aerial platform to climb to the top floor of the building above a Lloyds Bank as they began their battle against the blaze.

There were eight fire engines and a large number of police officers at the scene at the height of the incident.

Water was seen cascading into the streets as firefighters battled to bring the blaze under control.

Passersby described a strong smell of smoke in the area, particularly in Pavilion gardens, behind the building where the blaze had taken hold.

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Shortly after 9am, an East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service spokeswoman said the incident was being downscaled, but several crews would remain on the scene to make sure it was safe, and that the fire had not spread.

The service later announced that firefighters would stay at the site "for the remainder of the day" with four teams "continuing complex work" at 2.30pm.

A diversion was put in place to allow cars to bypass the section of blocked road. Buses were also forced to use alternative routes to avoid North Street.

Though fire crews remained at the scene, the road was reopened shortly after 2.30pm.