UPDATE: Pet shop '˜severely damaged' by blaze

Crews from across the county helped fight the flames at Pierpoint Pet Supplies in High Street on Friday September 9.

The blaze broke out on the ground floor of the 22m by 21m building at around 2.50pm.

The fire service said it then spread to the back roof of a neighbouring shop. Crews had to cut into the roof using chainsaws to access the flames.

A spokesman for West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said 50 per cent of the pet shop and 100 per cent of the neighbouring shop’s roof were ‘severely damaged’ by the flames.

The basement and first floor of the building were also damaged by smoke and water.

No-one was hurt in the blaze and no animals were harmed. The flats above the building also escaped damage, the spokesman added.

Thirty eight breathing apparatus were used in extinguishing the fire along with two covering jets, three hose reels and multiple thermal imaging cameras to check for heat hotspots.

Two fog nozzles and a high pressure lance - all used to fit through smaller gaps to put out flames - were also used.

Crews left the scene at 5am the following morning.

Fire inspection officers returned half an hour later and worked until 9.30am to try and establish the cause.

The fire service said it had not yet confirmed the cause but said it was being treated as an accident.

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