Firefighters tackle refuse lorry fire in Brighton as road closures put in place

Friday, 30 October 2026 at 14:33

By Philip Keeler

Firefighters have been called to a refuse lorry fire in Brighton this afternoon (Friday 30 October), with emergency services urging motorists and pedestrians to avoid the area.

East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service was alerted to the incident at around 1pm following reports of a refuse collection vehicle on fire in Chichester Place.

Emergency crews attended the scene and began tackling the blaze, which involved the contents of the refuse lorry.

By 1.30pm, firefighters had emptied the burning waste from the vehicle onto the road to allow crews to extinguish the flames safely.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used hose reels to bring the fire under control.

Sussex Police were also notified to assist with managing road closures while emergency services dealt with the incident.

East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service confirmed that there had been no reports of injuries.

In an update issued this afternoon, the service said: "East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service was called at around 1pm today, 30 October 2026, to reports of a fire in Brighton.

"A refuse truck on Chichester Place is alight.

"As of 1.30pm, the contents of the truck has been emptied on the road and crews are using breathing apparatus and hose reel to put out the fire.

"Police have been notified to assist with managing road closures.

"There are no reports of injuries."

Members of the public are being advised to avoid Chichester Place and the immediate surrounding area while the emergency response continues.

The cause of the fire has not yet been confirmed.

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