Two people were rescued after a "suspicious" fire was started outside a bank last night.

The fire was started behind the Natwest bank in South Coast Road in Peacehaven at around 11.30pm.

Two people, who have not been named, were led to safety from flats above the bank and nearby estate agents, suffering smoke inhalation.

Firefighter Adam Cross, from Newhaven Fire Station, said: “The fire was started on the set of metal fire escape stairs.

“We led two people to safety.”

A spokeswoman for Sussex Police said they were treating the fire as suspicious.