Mountains of stock went up in smoke during a blaze in a warehouse store.

Staff and customers at the Trading 4 U retail store were evacuated when the fire broke out about 3pm yesterday.

Four fire engines were called to the blaze, which had engulfed a storeroom on the first floor at the back of the building in the Bell Farm Industrial Estate, Uckfield.

Firecrews had to use breathing apparatus to check there was no one left inside.

The storeroom, which was filled with cushions, duvets, glassware, fancy goods and similar stock, was gutted in the blaze and all the stock destroyed.

The shopping area also suffered smoke damage.

Station officer Dave Sutton, of Uckfield fire station, said it was believed the blaze had been sparked by a fluorescent light fitting that had overheated.

Firefighters remained at the industrial site until 8pm to help bring the fire under control.