Firefighters were called to the former Northbrook College building at 11.15pm on Friday July 18.

Crews from Horsham Fire Station, which is also situated in Hurst Road, arrived quickly to find smoke pouring from the building and flames showing on the first floor.

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To see a slideshow of the scene after the blaze click here.

The building measures approximately 20m x 30m and consists of two storeys and a basement, with extra rooms in the attic.

The Incident Commander sent requested an Aerial Ladder Platform (ALP) to tackle the fire from above the roof.

As the crews were about to pitch a ladder to a first floor window, the smoke from the window started 'pulsing' - a warning to trained firefighters of a possible backdraught.

They were ordered to stand back and a few seconds later the window blew out, scattering glass below.

The fire then spread rapidly to the roof and after determining that no-one was inside the decision was made to fight the fire from outside.

Pumps were increased to eight as ALP operators wearing breathing apparatus worked from height to contain the fire with water from the ALP monitor. Three further jets were used to tackle the fire from ground level.

Residents of an adjacent nursing were advised to keep windows closed, and one further neighbour was moved to a nearby house for safety.

Crews remained at the scene overnight but the operation was scaled down after 3am.

An estimated 95 per cent of the first floor and roof have been damaged by fire and a joint inspection with a Building Control Officer from Horsham District Council will took place at 9am to assess the structural stability of the building.

The road was closed off and was still shut to traffic at 11.30am today (Saturday July 19) as fire crews continued to check the building.

The cause of the blaze is unknown at the present time.