Sussex crews tackle large Hastings gorse blaze

The fire spread through an area of gorse and heather on the East Hill

Fire crews have been tackling a large fire that has swept through the East Hill area of Hastings.

The area of gorse and heather caught fire at about 17:00 GMT and large plumes of smoke have been drifting across the town.

A number of properties in the All Saints Road and Tackleway areas of the town have been evacuated as a precaution.

A Sussex Police spokeswoman said there had been no reports of any injuries.

She said: "Firefighters are still dealing with the fire but, although the cause is as yet unexplained, at this early stage there is no information which suggests it was started deliberately."