At least ten fire engines were called to tackle a blaze which broke out in a block of flats.
The fire began in a flat in Saunders Park View, just off Lewes Road, Brighton, at around 6.20pm on Tuesday evening.
Smoke was seen billowing over Hollingdean and the A270 Lewes Road was closed between Coombe Road and Bear Road to allow emergency services to attend to the incident.
A spokeswoman for East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said: “Firefighters from Hove, Roedean, Preston Circus, Lewes, Newhaven, Eastbourne and Seaford were called at 6.21pm on Tuesday, October 3, to reports of fire at a residential property.”
Firefighters used an aerial ladder platform and jets to put out the fire in the flat.
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Officers from Sussex Police and ambulance crews were also in attendance.
Nearby residents were told to keep their windows and doors closed and advice was to avoid the area.
Bus services in Lewes Road were diverted, including the Regency routes towards East Sussex and routes up to the universities in Falmer.
A spokesman for Brighton and Hove Buses said: “With apologies, due to an incident in Lewes Road near the bus garage, Service 48 and 49 will be diverted via Bear Road and Coombe Road in both directions, all other services that use Lewes Road will be diverted via Coldean Lane, Ditchling Road and Upper Hollingdean Road to resume route to Lewes Road.”
Residents and pets have been accommodated at a nearby rest centre by Brighton and Hove City Council.
"We've set up a rest centre for around 17 residents and some pets after a fire started at Saunders Park View, Brighton," a council spokesman said.
"Our officers have been working with the police and fire service, and the fire is now out. Residents are being supported."
The fire was put out by about 8.20pm.
"All persons are accounted for and residents are being looked after at a local rest centre by local authority,” the fire service spokeswoman said.
"Thank you to West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, Sussex Police and South East Coast Ambulance for their support at the scene."
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