Firefighters have been praised for their quick action after a blaze started in a Mid Sussex church spire today.
The blaze began at the top of the 25-metre tower at St Wilfrid's Church in Church Road, Haywards Heath, at 10.47am.
Fire crews managed to prevent the flames spreading to the rest of the church, which was built in 1862 and has recently undergone extensive renovations.
The Rev Ray Smith said: "We are very lucky because it was only in the top part of the roof. It could have burned down everything."
An investigation has been launched into the cause of the fire, which is not being treated as suspicious.
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