Caravan holidaymakers were evacuated after a suspected arson attack at a car repair shop early today.

The blaze broke out just after 2am on the Maybanks Industrial Estate on the A26 at South Heighton, near Newhaven.

As flames leapt into the sky, police decided to move people at a nearby caravan site to safety.

The fire spread to an adjoining unit and several vehicles parked alongside were damaged.

Almost 40 firefighters from Newhaven, Lewes, Seaford and Roedean, in Brighton, were called in to deal with the fire.

They were still damping down six hours after the blaze broke out.

There were reports of a car chase involving police just before the fire started and five people were later arrested.

The caravans nearest to the blaze were slightly damaged.

The owners of the most severely-damaged caravan, which had melted windows, were not in it at the time. Neighbours Tina Urry, 30, and Colin Adams, 52, alerted the emergency services to the fire at about 2.30am.

Mr Adams, who works as a taxi driver, said: "We were woken by loud explosions coming from over the hedge and things flying through the air."

Miss Urry, a taxi controller, said: "We looked out and saw flames.

"We threw some clothes on and ran out.

"We moved our car up to the top of the road and called the fire brigade."

The pair, who live in their caravan from March to October, waited in their car in the car park until they were told it was safe to return later this morning, along with the other evacuees.

Miss Urry said: "We were very lucky to get away with so little damage.

"Normally it is really quiet here."