THREE people were forced out of their homes by a blaze early today.

Police ordered residents at flats in Seaside, Eastbourne, to leave for their own safety.

Three firecrews from Eastbourne fire station tackled flames behind wooden fascia boards on the front of the building.

They were called to the scene at 2.30am after smoke filled the the hall and landings of the three-storey building.

Claire Wilkes, watch manager at Eastbourne fire station, said: “There was a lot of thick smoke and the police evacuated the building.

“Nobody was hurt or affected by the smoke and we were there until 3.30am damping down and making sure the fire had not spread to neighbouring buildings.”

A Sussex Police spokesman said: “It appears someone stubbed a cigarette out and it set fire to insulation or paper behind the fascia.

“We are not treating the fire as being suspicious.”