A fire which broke out in an outbuilding which closed a city centre road was caused deliberately, police believe.

Emergency services scrambled to the scene of the fire in Gladstone Terrace in Brighton with fire crews tackling the blaze with an aerial platform and police investigators attending.

Lewes Road was blocked with fire engines while the fire was put out including a number of emergency services personnel. Now, the force have confirmed that an investigation has been launched for suspected arson.

In a statement, a Sussex Police spokesman said: “Emergency services responded to a fire at an address in Gladstone Terrace, Brighton, at about 7.10pm on Monday, June 5.

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“The incident is believed to have been caused deliberately and police are investigating a suspected arson.

“Witnesses or anyone with information, including any CCTV, mobile phone, or dashcam footage, is asked to report it to Sussex Police online, quoting serial 1335 of 05/06.”

A resident from next door, who studies at Brighton University told The Argus: "I was listening to music when I heard a fire alarm and smelt smoke.

The Argus: Fire crews on the scene at the incidentFire crews on the scene at the incident (Image: Andrew Gardner | The Argus)

"I felt a bit delirious when I got out my flat. I left in just my socks."

The Argus understands that residents of next door buildings were not allowed to stay in last night due to structural damage and water ingress.

Four pumps from East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service attended the scene and remained there into the evening.

A fire service spokesman said: “We were called to Gladstone Road on June 5 at 7.02pm to a fire in a derelict property.

The Argus: Police investigators at the scenePolice investigators at the scene (Image: Andrew Gardner | The Argus)

“Crews from Brighton, Roedean, Hove, Lewes, Uckfield and Seaford were in attendance.

“We used three breathing apparatus, one thermal imaging camera and one hose reel to fight the fire.

“There were no casualties and the incident is under investigation.”