The blaze took hold at the community facility, behind the Arlington Arms, off Seaside, in the early hours on Sunday morning (May 9).
Local residents called emergency services to the scene at around 12.30am as the flames broke out in the building.

Firefighters from Eastbourne, Pevensey, Seaford, Bexhill, Hailsham and Herstmonceux were called into action and spent nearly four hours tackling the flames.

Police also attended to close the surrounding roads and evacuate local residents from their homes. Seaside was closed for around four hours while firefighters made the area safe.
Lesley Whiteman lives in Seaside and her garden backs on to the church hall.

She said, "I was at my partner's house in Northbourne Road when it happened. We were asleep but he woke up because he heard something.
"There was all this banging. One of the neighbours said it sounded like fireworks."
Lesley's partner Robin Wilkinson said, "The building had an asbestos roof so I could hear it all cracking.
"The smoke was tremendous and the flames were awful. It really was quite spectacular."

Residents in Northbourne Road, Seaside and Finmere Close were evacuated from their homes by police but businesses in the area took in residents until they were allowed back home later that morning.
The Alexandra Arms opened its doors.

Kim Ridgway, pub manager, said, "Carly Witherow, the leaseholder, saw all the blue lights and offered our services and facilities to the local residents and the firefighters.
"There were about eight or nine people in here. We offered them a cup of tea until they were allowed to return to their homes at around 3.30am.

"I am glad we were there to help the community, that is what the pub is all about."

Tesco in Lottbridge Drove also accommodated residents.

A spokesperson said, "As an important part of the local community, we were pleased to be able to help people affected by the fire. Our staff were happy to provide food and drinks, clothing and shelter."
Firefighters remained on the scene until 7.30am to make sure the area was safe. Some residents have raised concern about the asbestos roof on the building.

Bob Newton, a crew manager from East Sussex Fire and Rescue, said, "Matt Elder, station manager, looked at the environmental issues on the job.
"When they realised it was an asbestos roof they spoke to the police and the instruction was to stay indoors and shut doors and windows, as a precautionary measure, as there was a smoke plume.
"The risk from asbestos was minimal as it was bonded and secure within sheeting.

"People will have heard some cracking and banging from the roof during the fire. There could have been a possibility of some very small asbestos particles but they would not have hung around in the atmosphere like we are seeing with the Icelandic volcanic ash at the moment. Those small particles would have dropped very quickly."
Residents returning to their homes at around 3.30am faced power cuts as a result of the blaze.

A spokesperson from EDF Energy said, "Power was interrupted to 30 customers after a fire at a property in Seaside, Eastbourne, in the early hours of Sunday morning.

"Our engineers had to isolate electricity supplies to a further 30 customers, but power was reconnected at 11.20am, as soon as it was safe to do so."
Charity-run Rising Stars Pre-School and many clubs and societies have not only lost a community facility, but valuable equipment and paperwork have been destroyed.

Louise Smith, Rising Stars manager, said, "I am shocked and devastated.
"We have lost absolutely everything. It has all gone up in flames."
Rising Stars is now appealing for help and donations. Anyone who can help should call 07773 874629.

Mabsubayashi-Ryu Karate Club, Girl Guides, Brownies and St Andrew's Flower Club are among the other organisations affected.
A Sussex Police spokesperson said, "Considerable local disruption has understandably been caused to the community because of the destruction of the hall.
"Police are making efforts to support those affected by the fire and will continue to keep all informed on developments."
The fire is being treated as arson and forensics are still working at the scene to determine the cause.

Police are appealing for witnesses and are particularly keen to trace the driver of a white taxi, seen to pull up outside the Arlington Arms Pub and then pull away around the time the fire started.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Sussex Police on 0845 60 70 999, quoting serial 78 of May 9.

• Earlier on Saturday, at 10.45pm, firefighters from Eastbourne, Pevensey and Hailsham were called to a blaze at a block of flats in Eversfield Road, Eastbourne.

They brought the flames under control within half an hour.
All residents escaped from the building but one young woman was taken to Eastbourne DGH by ambulance after suffering cuts to her hands.
Severe damage was caused to the flat and council engineers were inspecting the block for structural damage.

EDF Energy and Transco were also called to the scene to isolate supplies.
An Eastbourne man was arrested on suspicion of causing arson with intent to endanger life and later bailed without charge until August 1, pending further enquiries.
A police spokesperson said there was no connection between the two fires on Saturday.