Overview
- The blaze broke out on Thursday evening at the former Convent of the Holy Child Jesus on Magdalen Road in St Leonards and was concentrated on upper floors of the derelict complex.
- Firefighters deployed multiple engines, a water carrier and senior officers while police and UK Power Networks assisted; roads were closed and residents were told to keep doors and windows shut with no injuries reported.
- The site includes a listed chapel designed by Edward Pugin and Hastings Borough Council said it is working with emergency services and that the chapel was not affected by the fire.
- Hastings MP Helena Dollimore criticised the site's security, named security firm Kroll and called for a proper inquiry to explain how a derelict, reported-to-be-insecure heritage site was left vulnerable.
- Police are now treating the incident as arson, two local teenage boys have been arrested, and fire crews continued into Friday to deal with hotspots and assess damage.