Fire leaves church in ruins

Residents left their homes as fire swept through the church

A church has been left in ruins after a fire swept through the building in the early hours of Thursday.

Sixty firefighters tackled the fire after emergency crews were called to the Immanuel Family Church in Islingword Road at 0400 BST.

More than 30 people were evacuated from adjacent homes and one resident was carried out of his flat.

East Sussex Fire Brigade said the roof, which later collapsed, was "well ablaze" when fire teams arrived.

'Considerable damage'

Firefighters battled to prevent the flames spreading to neighbouring properties.

Assistant divisional officer Bob Trotter said: "It would have been a nightmare for us because the fire would have got into the roof of the adjoining building and that is a very difficult fire to fight."

Fire engines from Roedean and Brighton were still damping down at the scene several hours later.

Spokesman Suzanne Gooch told BBC Southern Counties Radio there was "a considerable amount of damage" and the church might now be beyond repair.

The church was used by worshippers and community groups

The building is used for worship by the Elim Pentecostal Church and is home to a youth group and mothers and toddlers' sessions.

The Rev Peter Dennett, minister at the church, said: "Everything that we've had for all these years is gone and there are many people in our church who have been here for 60, 70 years.

"It's going to be absolutely devastating for them, absolutely devastating."

He said £400,000 had recently been earmarked to improve facilities at the church.

The cause of the fire is being investigated.

Firefighters said no evidence had been found so far to suggest it was arson.