A 100-year-old church was in ruins today after a mystery blaze.

One man was rescued from a neighbouring flat as flames tore through the Immanuel Family Church in Islingword Road, Brighton.

More than 30 residents in neighbouring properties were evacuated and were put up in the nearby St Luke's Church in Queens Road.

Sixty firefighters spent five hours fighting the flames and protecting adjoining homes.

They ran hoses through front windows of a house next door and out through the back door into the garden so they could fight flames at the side of the church.

The blaze started at about 3am and by daylight only the exterior walls of the church were standing.

Thick plumes of smoke and flame shot high into the sky at one point.

Sergeant Bill Whitehead, of Brighton and Hove police, was one of the first on the scene: "I saw the roof collapse - timber and bricks crashed to the ground in one great whoosh of flame."

Fire brigade investigators today were examining the scene for the cause. Suzanne Gooch, brigade spokeswoman, said: "We are keeping an open mind at this stage.

"Building inspectors will be deciding later whether it is safe for us to go inside."

Two senior members of the church were in tears as they stood watching the drama.

Kevin Tant, who works for American Express, is one of the church leaders. He left the church at 10pm yesterday and all was well.

He said: "My wife and I were married in the church and I have been coming here since I was five. I'm gutted.

"We've lost all our musical equipment and instruments plus art work for the Brighton Festival.

"I keep hoping I'll wake up and find it hasn't happened.

"We have a congregation of about 80 and the church was perfect for our needs. We were planning renovations and have a fully-functioning community centre and nursery.

"The building was insured and I hope we will rebuild. God works in strange ways and if this is the way the church will move forward in Brighton then we have got to accept that."

His wife Michelle, church's administrator, said: "I'm just devastated. I can't believe it. A children's group was meeting here this morning - there are so many people who use the church.

"We might have to meet in someone's home until it is rebuilt."

Comedian Bobby Ball visited the church in 2001 to talk about his life since becoming a Christian.

Mr Tant said the church started as the Islingword Road mission and it originally had a tin-roof until it was rebuilt 104 years ago.

Next door neighbour Lesley McCormick, a micro-biologist at Brighton General Hospital, was woken by what she first thought were fireworks.

"Then I looked out of the window and spotted the smoke."

She woke her daughter Kitty, who runs a chiropody practice in the house, and they dressed and grabbed personal belongings.

Firefighters asked them to evacuate and they watched the flames from across the street. Neighbours gave them tea.

Fire crews ran hoses through their home to the rear garden. Police closed the road.

Other neighbours were led to St Luke's church where volunteers provided blankets and tea. They were later allowed to return to their homes.

One man in an adjoining flat had to be woken by firefighters. The man, wrapped in a duvet, was led to the street where he was checked over by an ambulance crew. He later went to stay with a relative.

Ten fire pumps were used to extinguish the flames and a water tank was brought in from West Sussex Fire Brigade to help.

Fire crews attending came from Preston Circus, Roedean, Hove, Newhaven, Barcombe and Lewes.