Key Points
Fire started in warehouse chiller at 03:46 BST on Tuesday morning.
10 fire appliances responded at peak, operations finished by 11:30 BST.
Nevill Road closed both directions with traffic disruption throughout morning.
No casualties reported, store to reopen when safety checks complete.
A fire broke out in a Waitrose warehouse chiller in Hove early Tuesday morning, forcing the closure of Nevill Road and drawing emergency crews from multiple services. East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service responded at 03:46 BST with 10 fire appliances at the height of the incident. No casualties were reported, and the fire was contained by 11:30 BST.
How the Fire Started and Spread
The blaze ignited in a warehouse chiller unit while the Waitrose store on Nevill Road was closed. Firefighters from Brighton, Eastbourne, Hove, and West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service fought the flames using four jets. Crews spent the morning damping down hot spots and ventilating the property to prevent further damage.
Road Closure and Traffic Impact
Nevill Road closed in both directions throughout Tuesday morning, creating queuing traffic across the area, according to traffic monitor INRIX. The fire service urged the public to avoid the scene. By 10:25 BST, the road began reopening as emergency response scaled down to two fire engines.
Investigation and Store Reopening
East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service said the incident will be investigated. Waitrose praised the “swift action” of the fire service and its partners for quickly containing the blaze. The store will reopen as soon as it is safe to do so. Nearby Brighton and Southwick Waitrose shops remained open throughout the incident.
Emergency Response Coordination
Police and ambulance services attended the scene alongside firefighters. The fire service thanked partner agencies, crews, and members of the public for following advice to stay away. Firefighters tackled the blaze with coordinated effort across multiple jurisdictions, with operations finishing by 11:30 BST.
Final Thoughts
The Waitrose warehouse fire in Hove was contained within hours with no injuries. Road closures and traffic disruption have now cleared, and the store will reopen once safety checks are complete.
FAQs
East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service responded at 03:46 BST on Tuesday morning to a warehouse fire at the Nevill Road location.
Ten fire appliances attended the incident, with firefighters from Brighton, Eastbourne, Hove, and West Sussex Fire & Rescue Services.
No casualties were reported. The fire was contained quickly with no injuries to staff, responders, or the public.
Disclaimer:
The content shared by Meyka AI PTY LTD is solely for research and informational purposes. Meyka is not a financial advisory service, and the information provided should not be considered investment or trading advice.
About Author

Danny Kontos
Co FounderDanny Kontos has been a stock investor since 2007 and co-founded Meyka in 2023. He keeps a small, focused portfolio and only moves when the numbers are hard to argue with. He has waited years on a single position before. Before Meyka, he ran a web hosting company and a mortgage lending platform, so he knows what a well-run business actually looks like under the hood. This article did not come from a news cycle. It came from someone who has been watching this space for a long time.
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