West Sussex: ‘No injuries’ reported following domestic dwelling fire

Fire crews from Petworth, Worthing, Horsham, Billingshurst and Storrington were called to the scene at Harbolets Road in West Chiltington at 3.05am this morning (September 19).

Residents were urged to keep clear of the area and keep their windows shut, if possible, in order to avoid the smoke.

As of 8.13am, one crew from Horsham fire service remained on the scene, damping down the fire and the roads were reopened, but motorists were asked to continue to avoid the area if possible to give teams the space they needed to make the area safe.

A spokesperson for West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service said: “At 3.05am we were called to a domestic dwelling fire at Harbolets Road, West Chiltington.

“Joint Fire Control mobilised a command support unit, aerial ladder platform, an off-road vehicle and seven fire engines – two from Horsham, two from Worthing, one from Billingshurst, Petworth and Storrington to the scene.

"Upon arrival crews were confronted with a well-developed fire involving the first floor and roof space. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used hose reels and jets to extinguish the fire.

"Fortunately there were no injuries.

“Sussex Police and South East Coast Ambulance Service were also in attendance.

"Firefighters left the scene this morning and have since carried out a reinspection. The fire has been fully extinguished and a fire investigation will soon commence.”

You can view a selection of pictures from the incident, courtesy of Eddie Mitchell, in the gallery below.