A fire which caused severe damage to a supermarket in Eastbourne is believed to have started in a refrigeration unit.

Firefighters were called to the Co-Operative store at around 7.45 am last Friday. Two hose reel jets and four sets of breathing apparatus were used to fight the fire on the ground floor.

Staff had already evacuated the store when fire crews arrived and the flats above were empty at the time of the fire.
An aerial ladder platform was also used as an observation tower for signs of smoke damage, as fire had spread to the upper floor.

Watch manager at East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, Fleur Wilks, said: "We also used a thermal imaging camera and a positive pressure ventilation fan, and we engaged in cutting away and damping down.

"I spoke to the staff of Co-Op to congratulate them on their evacuation plan of the property, which has been severely damaged."

The incident was closed at around 10.20am.