Flames today ripped through a penthouse flat at the exclusive Van Alen building in Brighton, once home to Spice Girl Emma Bunton.

Flames leapt 30ft from the balcony of the vacant £750,000 three-bedroom flat just after midnight.

Fire investigators launched an inquiry into the cause of the blaze which wrecked the luxury flat.

People living in the seafront block were woken and evacuated.

They were joined by crowd of more than 100 on Marine Parade.

Fire crews spent five hours tackling the blaze before the residents were allowed to return.

Van Alen concierge Patrick Fyord said: "The owners don't know about this yet and I'm trying to contact them.

"Firefighters think it started in the decking on the balcony but we won't know until a full investigation has been carried out.

"We hope there will be scaffolding put up today to start work repairing the damage."

Michael Griffin, night manager at the New Europe Hotel next door, said: "I saw a flashing blue light and went outside. The flames were very high, between 30ft and 50ft.

"It was almost as if the building was melting. It was quite spectacular but also very sad as it such a beautiful building.

"The firefighters were very quick bringing it under control. They had to use a special platform and as they went up the crowd cheered and the firefighter up there took a bow."

Emma Bunton, aka Baby Spice, sold her penthouse in the block in August last year.