Several cars were crushed in the incident, however no one was injured.
One man who lives in Kingsway Court said: “I heard a great crash and went to the window and saw it.
“My car is under there; it’s an inconvenience but fortunately no one is injured.”
They added: “My wife said last night that the scaffolding was making a noise. It’s nonsense, it shouldn’t have fallen down.”
A nearby resident, who also did not wish to be named, described hearing a “huge crash” when the scaffolding came down.
He said: “A load of scaffolding has come away in the wind.
“Cars are underneath.”
He added: “There’s police and fire brigade everywhere with the scene taped off.”
Another passerby said: “It’s so shocking. How could this have happened?
“It’s crazy.”
Emergency workers from East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, Sussex Police and South East Coast Ambulance Service were all in attendance.
A spokesperson for the fire service said: “We were called at 1.29pm on 18 December 2025 to reports of collapsed scaffolding in First Avenue, Hove.
“One fire engine from Preston Circus was in attendance. Crews attended for scene safety, liaising with the police and the area was cordoned off.
“There were no reports of any injuries.
“Crews left the scene by 3.16pm, handing over to the main building contractor.”
A spokeswoman for Secamb added: “I can confirm South East Coast Ambulance Service were called by Sussex Police to reports of fallen scaffolding on First Avenue, Hove shortly after 13.30hrs today (December 18). Ambulance crews attended but, thankfully, no injuries were reported.”
Sussex Police attended to help close off the road from Kingsway to Church Road, and manage the scene.
Mr Calais from Bali Brasserie, which is located next to the flats, told The Argus that the scaffolding has nothing to do with the restaurant but was for Kingsway Court which has 109 flats.
He says the restaurant will still open this evening as they have two entrances – one on the east and one on the west so that if the east side is closed, customers can use the west entrance.
He put the incident down to “high winds” but that “thankfully no one was working on it because of the strong winds”.
The Argus contacted the Health and Safety Executive who said they were yet to be notified of the incident. However, said this could happen at a later date.
The incident comes amid an active yellow weather warning for rain, issued by the Met Office.
The warning came into force at 9am today and is in place until 9pm.
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