Newhaven industrial site blaze - District council 'on standby' to provide temporary accommodation

Lewes District Council has set up a 'rest centre' after a large fire broke out at an industrial building in Newhaven this morning (Saturday, August 8).
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East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service confirmed firefighters were called to the blaze in Beach Road just after 9.30am, after more than 80 emergency calls. Read our live blog here and watch video footage from the scene hereLewes District Council has offered support to those affected.

A spokesperson said: "Council officers are setting up a rest centre at the Hillcrest Centre on Bay Vue Road in Newhaven in case it is required.

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"The area should be avoided and residents living in or around Newhaven must keep doors and windows closed."

councillor James MacCleary, Leader of Lewes District Council, said the 'main concern' at the moment is the air quality. Photo: Dan Jessupcouncillor James MacCleary, Leader of Lewes District Council, said the 'main concern' at the moment is the air quality. Photo: Dan Jessup
councillor James MacCleary, Leader of Lewes District Council, said the 'main concern' at the moment is the air quality. Photo: Dan Jessup

Speaking just before 12pm, councillor James MacCleary, Leader of Lewes District Council and Newhaven resident: "It looks like they are starting to get it under control now. There was very thick, black smoke for a long time. It was really bad about 10am.

"I live on the west side of the river and got a clear view of it. The smoke is still coming up thick and fast but its a much lighter colour. It’s thinned out significantly.

"We’ve got a river between us so there’s not a great danger to the homes on this side. We are more concerned for the people over on the east side as there’s some tightly packed housing[ but] it looks like the warehouse is some distance from the housing.

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"The main concern at the moment is the air quality and breathing it in. In a warehouse, there are various things you don’t want to be breathing in.

"The district council is on standby to provide emergency accommodation if the fire service tell us we need to evacuate anybody. If an evacuation is needed, we will swing into action with our emergency response plan.

"If anyone is facing any health difficulties, they should contact the NHS on 111 or the emergency number if it’s more serious. Residents would be informed very quickly on that but we are hoping we won’t need to do that but there’s still a lot of smoke.

"There’s a lot of activity still over there. It’s been a really big job for the firefighters. They’ve been there for two and a half hours so they must be exhausted, especially in this heat.

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"It’s still an evolving situation. If the fire service need any extra support, we will be there for them."

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