Emergency services called after car collides into building in East Sussex

East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service was called at 2.23am on September 20 following reports that a vehicle had collided with a shopfront on Sutton Road, Seaford The vehicle subsequently caught fire, with flames spreading to the building.

Fire crews from Eastbourne, Barcombe, Preston Circus and Newhaven were dispatched to the scene.

On arrival, firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the building to tackle the blaze, initially using a main jet. Because of the risk to neighbouring properties, nearby flats were evacuated as crews worked to bring the fire under control.

By around 3am, officers from Sussex Police and the South East Coast Ambulance Service had also arrived to support the emergency response.

Four firefighters wearing breathing apparatus were initially inside tackling the fire with two main jets, while crews continued working to contain the blaze and protect surrounding properties.

At approximately 4am, East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service confirmed that firefighters had successfully extinguished the main fire.

Crews remained at the scene, with eight firefighters wearing breathing apparatus using two main jets and two hose reels to dampen down hotspots and prevent the fire from reigniting.

Sussex Police later confirmed that the vehicle involved was a Suzuki Ignis, which had crashed into the shopfront before catching fire, causing significant damage to the building.

Nearby homes were evacuated as a precaution. No injuries were reported.

A spokesperson for Sussex Police said: “Officers are investigating, and are seeking to trace the driver of the Suzuki.

“They are also appealing for witnesses or anyone with relevant information, including CCTV, doorbell, mobile phone and dashcam footage of the incident or anything suspicious in the area, to come forward.

“Anyone with information is asked to report it to Sussex Police online or call 101 and quote serial 149 of 20/09.”