FIRE HITS WOODYARD

Stacks of solid oak, two lorries, forklift trucks, computer systems and years of records were reduced to ash as flames ripped through a warehouse, offices and a showroom off the A22 near Chiddingly.

Emergency services received their first call at about 6am and at the height of the blaze 12 appliances were being manned by crews from Heathfield, Uckfield, Lewes, Seaford, Crowborough, Hove, Eastbourne and Hastings.

Firefighters pumped water from two nearby farm ponds and sprayed the 80-foot flames from aerial ladders.

Crews remained on site until midnight.

Owners say the business will continue as normal and will continue to grow.