The fire started in the south-east corner of Petersfield Festival Hall on Friday afternoon.

The fire alarm was sounded at 2pm and fire engines arrived shortly afterwards.

Eyewitnesses reported seeing thick smoke billowing from offices on the first floor and it was still pouring out of the building more than an hour later.

Firefighters with breathing apparatus moved in to tackle the blaze and used a ladder to reach the roof.

Petersfield town clerk Neil Hitch described the scene, saying: 'Firefighters have entered the building up the fire escape and the main staircase, but they are still struggling to get close to the fire because it is too hot.'

Early indications suggest the fire began in a file room used by a business that rents office space at the Festival Hall.

About 100 costumes used by theatre group Petersfield Hi-Lights, which was scheduled to perform Calamity Jane at the venue last night, are expected to have been damaged by the smoke.

A crowd of onlookers, gathered on the roadside, were moved away by firefighters who had concerns about the toxic effect of the smoke.

Michael Finch, who was rehearsing a play in the hall when the fire took hold, said there was deep smoke pouring out of the building.

He said: 'We're told it's broken out in a part of the building that is not related to the theatre.'

Yolanda Lacey, a part-time employee at the hall, was just leaving to pick up her son from school when the fire broke out.

She said: 'I saw a lot of smoke and everyone was rushing around and we were told to evacuate the building. The fire is all over the roof, where workmen had been working. The smoke is very thick and smells like rubber.'

The fire was brought under control at 6.40pm by firefighters from Cosham, Petersfield, Waterlooville, Hightown, Alton, Liphook and Droxford.

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