Neighbours looked on in horror as a house in their quiet street burst into flames. 

The blaze broke out at a home in Pound Lane, Upper Beeding, near Steyning, at around 9pm last night. 

Crews from West and East Sussex Fire and Rescue Services were called to the scene. 

Firefighters tackled the blazeFirefighters tackled the blaze (Image: James Palmer)

James Palmer, who saw the smoke billowing from the house, said it was an "awful ordeal". 

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He said: "Neighbours heard the smoke alarms, and minutes later the fire brigade arrived with five units attending the scene.

"By 9.30pm the fire was largely under control, however the damage had already been done and the upper floors and roof were severely damaged.

"We are assured by neighbours that no one is in the house and all are safe and well, albeit upset at this awful ordeal."

Smoke billowed from the homeSmoke billowed from the home (Image: James Palmer)

West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service (WSFRS) urged people to avoid the area last night while crews tackled the blaze.  

A spokeswoman for WSFRS said: "We were called at 9.01pm to reports of a fire involving a property on Pound Lane in Upper Beeding.

"Upon arrival crews were confronted with a fire in the first floor bedroom that had spread to the roof space. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used jets and high pressure hose reels to bring the fire under control and extinguish it.

“At the height of the incident five fire engines and an aerial ladder platform were at the scene.

“Fortunately there were no injuries and all persons were accounted for.

"Preliminary investigations suggest that the fire was of accidental ignition but a full fire investigation will be carried out to establish the cause."