Explosions and “screams” could be heard at a major fire in a block of flats which has left up to 17 people homeless.
Firefighters were called to the blaze in Saunders Park View just off Lewes Road in Brighton at 6.21pm last night.
One man who watched the fire from his house in nearby Ewhurst Road described explosions and said he could hear screams as the fire erupted.
Residents and pets have been accounted for and Brighton and Hove City Council has set up a rest centre for around 17 residents whose homes went up in flames.
The eyewitness said: “I have very big open windows and could see the smoke, the fire looked like it started on the first floor. There were explosions.
“The first boom was what alerted me to look out of my kitchen window. I can see the collapsed roof. The fire brigade was there again at 8am. The roof has gone and three floors look like they have been gutted.
“Early on you could hear screams and the occasional boom, whether it was a gas explosion or whatever.
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“I saw that they got the 999 call at 6.21pm, my video was four minutes later and before the fire engines had arrived.”
The fire was put out by about 8.20pm.
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.
"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."
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."
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