The fire, which began at around 2am , ripped through the premises in the Martlets and also damaged the Pulse bar below.

More than 100 firefighters and 18 appliances from Sussex and Surrey attended the fire.

Paul Archer, of West Sussex Fire and Rescue, filmed firefighters attempting to douse the flames. Several firefighters were told to leave the building as the site was too dangerous. Soon after the roof of the club collapsed and an ariel ladder platform was brought in to throw water on to the building from above.

Smoke billowed across the shopping centre and flames shot from the roof of Redd as the fire crews fought the blaze through the early hours of this morning. Eyewitnesses say the flames could be seen from as far away as the A23.

Gary Townson, press spokesperson for West Sussex Fire and Rescue, said: "The fire was difficult for us to get to. We tried to get in through the first floor windows but they were blocked by bricks so we had to smash our way through them. Just at that point the roof collapsed. If there were firefighters in there we could have lost somebody. The good news is there was no-one in the club."

No-one needed to be evacuated from flats near the shops but people were advised to keep windows closed because of the smoke.

Police are now investigating the scene for the cause of the fire.

Further report and slideshow