Flames also damaged the Pulse bar below it and some adjoining properties after the blaze started just before 2am.

More than 100 firefighters and 18 applicances from east and West Sussex were used to fight the blaze and stop it spreading to the adjoining Martlets shops.

No-one was reported hurt or needing evacuation during the blaze, which lit the skyline in the early hours,

Early today West Sussex Fire Brigade warned there would disruption to the centre while the scene of the fire was checked.

Smoke billowed across the shopping centre and flames shot from the roof of Redd as the fire crews fought the blaze.

Redd has found itself in the headlines recently because of its lap-dancing attractions, with some people for it and some against.
Fire chiefs said at the scene that it was too early to say what the cause of the fire might be.

Brigade Press spokesman Gary Towsen said: "We had a
call at 1.58 and the fire on the first floor was well alight.
"It's too early to comment on a possible cause at the moment."

Police sealed off the area and blocked part of Church Road.

No-one needed to be evacuated from flats near the shops but people were advised to keep windows closed because of the smoke.

Mr Towsen said: "There is likely to be disruption to the town centre and shops for a few hours today."

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