Arsonists are blamed for a blaze which ripped through three floors of Woolworths' store in Chichester.

Flames raged through the building in North Street after fire broke out at 4.20pm yesterday.

A team of 75 firefighters were called to tackle the inferno, which threatened to sweep into neighbouring shops.

Crews from Chichester fire station called for back up after arriving at the scene and realised they needed help to stop the fire spreading.

The blaze started when a pile of rubbish was set alight outside the shop and it spread from the ground floor into the roof of the building.

A crew of 12 firefighters wearing breathing apparatus climbed a ladder and entered the building to tackle the blaze.

An hour later, crews had surrounded the fire and managed to bring it under control.

Andy Tonks, divisional officer at West Sussex Fire Brigade, said: "It is not clear at this stage how much damage has been caused but what is clear is that this was started deliberately."

Sergeant Russell Phillips, from Chichester police, said the fire was being treated as arson.

He said: "We would like to hear from anyone who knows anything about this fire or may have heard something about it.

"Parents whose children have come home acting sheepishly or friends of those responsible should get in touch."