Fireworks may have sparked fire

One firefighter was hurt in a fall while searching the premises

Youths playing with fireworks could have been responsible for a fire which has seriously damaged a disused shop.

Fire crews were called to the three-storey building in Littlehampton, West Sussex, just before 1830 GMT on Wednesday evening.

It took 50 firefighters to bring the fire in New Road under control.

Fire investigation officers are examining the scene to establish the cause of the fire.

Clearly if this was the result of misusing fireworks, it could have resulted in death or serious injury Mark Osborne, West Sussex Fire and Rescue

A spokesman for the West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said witness reports suggested youths had been seen outside playing with fireworks shortly before the fire started.

Incident commander Mark Osborne, of West Sussex Fire and Rescue, said: "We are not ruling out any other causes at this time but clearly if this was the result of misusing fireworks, it could have resulted in death or serious injury."

It was initially thought someone might be trapped inside but firefighters who investigated found the premises were empty, the spokesman said.

One firefighter was injured in a fall during the search and was treated at the scene by paramedics from Sussex Ambulance Service.

The spokesman said the ground floor of the building was a derelict shop and the other two floors were residential.

All three floors were badly affected by the flames.