A fire in the heart of Pevensey Bay broke out last night (Thursday 13 October), resulting in an incident alert.—Bay Life, 14 October 2016
The fire appears to have started above the 1066 store which is at the centre of commercial activity in the village. A spokesperson at East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said two appliances from Eastbourne and Hailsham were called to the fire at 6.20pm.
At 6:40pm onlooker Dianne Dear (also publisher of Bay Life) said, “we can see two appliances and a long reach ladder in position to the flats above the 1066 store”. She added “There is smoke but we can not see any fire”.
At the time she also commented “we can see the roads have been cordoned off at both ends”.
Blue flashing lights were seen across the road at both ends as traffic was diverted.
All residents of the flats were evacuated at the time, but the fire is believed to have caused significant damage.
Beachlands resident Helen Burton, who was driving towards Eastbourne, told Bay Life that traffic at the time was diverted through Langney. “By the time we got back to the traffic lights by the library at 7:45pm, diversions were still in place with a Police car wedged in the road by the Beach Tavern and two officers to stop cars entering the road”.
This morning (Friday October 14) East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service updated information about the incident. “At 18.21 yesterday (13 October) black smoke was seen emitting from a second-floor flat in Eastbourne Road, Pevensey Bay.
“Three appliances from Eastbourne and Hailsham were mobilised and firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used two hose reel jets to tackle the fire.
“One man and two children were treated after breathing in smoke. A Positive Pressure Ventilation Fan was used to clear smoke from the building”.
IMAGE CREDIT: Dianne Dear
