Fire damages flat

ARSON is believed to be the cause of a Peacehaven flat blaze in which a dog and pet rat were killed.

Four fire engines, from Roedean, Newhaven and Brighton, sped to the fire in The Bricky at around 4am on Friday to find flames and smoke coming from the first floor flat's windows.

Firefighters wearing breathing gear battled the blaze and led six adults and three children from the other five flats in the semi-detached block to safety.

Only the animals were in the flat in which the fire started. No injuries were reported.

Firefighters remained for five hours to damp down the scene. Fire Brigade investigators and police forensic officers were searching for clues.

A Fire Brigade spokeswoman said: 'The cause is being treated as suspicious.'