residents evacuted from fire

A fire brigade spokesman said they had received a call from a neighbour at 12.30pm, saying that two children, aged between 10 and 12, had been seen running through an alleyway.

Shortly afterwards, flames were seen coming from one of the sheds at the back. The shed contained a propane gas cylinder.

Between 20 and 40 residents from Warren Court, in Sompting Road, were evacuated.

Many of the flat's elderly residents were moved to the nearby Hut club, in Tower Road, while firefighters from Lancing and Worthing tackled the fire. Staff from Adur District Council, the police and paramedics helped the evacuated residents.

Firefighters soon discovered the shed in question had two gas cylinders and used water jets to put out the flames and cool the cylinders.

The flames were extinguished by 2pm, but firefighters continued to spray the cylinders with water to cool them down. By 4pm, it was decided the residents of Warren Court could return to their flats.

A fire investigation officer was called and Adur council officers said the cylinders would be removed within 24 hours.

Adur's corporate and public safety officer, John Rodway, said: "We decided there was a need to activate the plan. The main rest centre was set up at Lancing Leisure Centre.

"A temporary rest centre was set up in the Hut. We're very thankful to the owners of the Hut for this."

Police are appealing for any witnesses with information about how the fire started to come forward.

Contact PC Lee Elliott at Highdown division on 0845 6070999.