PICTURES show the enormous emergency response to a fire in the basement of a large block of seafront flats this morning.

Police and ambulance teams joined 14 fire crews at Marine Court in Hastings at about 7am this morning to tackle the blaze.

A road closure remains in place on the A259 Grand Parade with a detour in operation and drivers urged to avoid the area.

The Argus: Police fire and ambulance crews were called to a basement fire in a block of flats on Hastings seafront - the A259 was closed Credit: Eddie MitchellPolice fire and ambulance crews were called to a basement fire in a block of flats on Hastings seafront - the A259 was closed Credit: Eddie Mitchell

After more than three hours of hard graft to tame the flames, East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service (ESFRS) confirmed the fire had been extinguished shortly after 10.30am.

A spokeswoman said that about 70 firefighters had been part of the operation at the height of the incident, and teams remain at the scene "inspecting the building and providing reassurance to all residents".

"Affected residents were evacuated," she said.

"A fire investigation will take place later on today.  

"We are being supported by Sussex Police and the South East Coast Ambulance Service, along with local authority and building management."

No casualties have been reported as a result of the fire.