A grandmother died after an inferno engulfed her home today in what may have been an arson attack.

The victim, named locally as Vilma Hamper, 56, was found dead in the house in Pembury Road, Langney, Eastbourne.

Another family member, 16-year-old Andrew Bissett was forced to jump for his life from a bedroom window.

And blind man John Hamper, 60, was burned by the flames but managed to crawl out of the back door and was pulled to safety by neighbours.

Both men suffered minor injuries and burns and were taken to Eastbourne District General Hospital for treatment.

Mrs Hamper was Andrew Bissett's grandmother and John Hamper's carer and sister-in-law.

Police are treating the fire as suspicious and have not ruled out a deliberate arson attack on the house.

Fire, police and ambulance crews were called to the terraced council home after neighbours raised the alarm at 2.40am.

Next door, Rebecca and Philip Mccullagh woke up when they heard their neighbours screaming for help.

They had to immediately flee their home after the fire spread to their roof.

Mr Mccullagh, 62, ran towards the burning house to pull the wheelchair bound Mr Hamper from the flames.

He said: "I don't know how he got himself out because he cannot move without a wheelchair.

"He must have come through the window.

"There were flames all around him so I grabbed him up.

"The flames were licking round his head and shoulders and he was really hot.

"I could see the flames all around him and knew he was about to get severely burnt in a matter of seconds.

"I dragged him by the hand along the ground to the back of the garden.

"Then I left him with the neighbours and ran off to see the ambulance."

Mrs Mccullagh, 61, yesterday spoke of her grief after losing her close friend of 30 years.

She said: "I cannot believe this has happened to such a wonderful, lovely lady.

"We've shared so much grief and happiness together over the years and now I've lost her.

"She helped me through my daughter's death 10 months ago.

"She was warm, friendly and would do anything for anyone.

"She was a good help to her family and was a great grandmother by looking after her grandson."

Neighbours gathered in the streets to watch the dramatic scenes as fire crews were repeatedly pushed back by the flames.

Anthony Johnson, 61, an electrical fitter who lives opposite in Tenterden Close, said: "One of the firemen was trying to get through the upstairs window but kept getting forced back.

"There was no way the firemen could have got in there.

"The flames coming through the roof were huge."

Three fire crews from Eastbourne and Pevensey as well as an aerial platform from Hailsham were called to tackle the blaze.

Fire chiefs believe the fire started on the ground floor before quickly spreading upstairs and to the roof.

Investigators have not yet established the cause of the blaze.

Director of community protection at East Sussex Fire and Rescue Andy Reynolds said: "On arrival crews were confronted with a severe fire which had spread to the first floor.

"The crews who entered the property wore breathing apparatus because it was very arduous conditions.

"The gentleman who was downstairs was woken by a smoke alarm.

"Although this is tragic and we lost one lady it could have been three tragedies."

Sussex Police are treating the blaze as suspicious and witnesses are asked to call police on 0845 6070999 quoting Operation Viewer.

See dramatic video footage of the fire, click here.