Probe begins into Conservative club blaze

It has been reported that an investigation has been launched following a fire in a local Conservative club, which destroyed the building caused a number of homes in Newhaven to be evacuated in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Sussex Police have so far found nothing to suggest that arson was to blame, but the investigation is still in its early stages as it took some time before the site was deemed safe for examination.

Fire crews were called to the club at 10 to 1 on Saturday morning as the flames started to take hold of the premises. It took the firefighters 10 hours to bring the fire under control as the roof had caved in, causing a greater risk to the fire teams.

There were no major injuries reported, but a firefighter had to go to hospital for a broken hand.

Residents in homes close to the Conservative club in South Way had to be evacuated to safety and some roads are still closed to the public. Motorists have been advised to avoid this area of Newhaven.

The local people of Newhaven are in shock as the club was deemed part of its history and was used by many organisations in the East Sussex town.