Police treating Brighton house fire as 'deliberate'

Sussex Police have launched an investigation to establish the cause of the blaze that ripped through two floors of a house in Shaftesbury Road, Brighton.

A man, who was rescued from the property on Monday, was rushed to hospital, where he remains in serious condition.

Crews from East and West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service used an aerial ladder to fight the fire at 4.29pm, while nearby residents were evacuated.

Pictures taken from the scene showed ambulance crews working alongside officers from Sussex Police behind a police cordon.

• READ MORE >> Pictures show fire ripping through home in Shaftesbury Road

Smoke was snapped billowing from the property, as fire crews closed the busy city centre road to extinguish the fire.

A spokesman from Sussex Police said: "Police were called to Shaftesbury Road, Brighton, around 4.10pm on Monday, May 24, due to concerns for the welfare of a man.

The road was closed while emergency services tackled the blaze

“Officers made to the scene and identified a fire at a property. East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service were called to attend, and nearby residents were evacuated to safety.

“One man was taken to hospital, where he remains in a serious condition.

“The fire is being treated as deliberate and the investigation is ongoing.

“The matter is being treated as an isolated incident and there is not thought to be any threat to the wider community.”

A passer-by said a person was pulled from the burning building and received CPR.

A spokesman from East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said at the time: "One person has been rescued and is in the care of Secamb.

"We remain at the scene and have scaled down to four appliances and an aerial ladder platform.

"A search of premises in the area has been undertaken.

"Sussex Police and Secamb remain on the scene.

"Good progress is being made, and a multi-agency investigation is set to take place."