A pensioner came within seconds of being engulfed in flames after a fire broke out in her home.

It is believed the blaze started after the woman failed to put a cigarette out properly in the front room of her house in Sherbourne Road, Hangleton, Hove, just before 8pm last night.

The fire spread to her sofa and carpet but the woman, in her 60s, managed to phone the fire brigade.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus broke into the house and pulled her to safety from the burning front room.

She suffered severe burns to her legs and smoke inhalation and was taken to hospital, where she is expected to remain for the next few days.

Sub Officer Mark Hobbs from Hove fire station, said the woman had a "very, very lucky" escape.

He said: "A minute or two more and the fire would have really got going. "

Two fire crews from Hove fire station attended the scene and took about 45 minutes to bring the blaze under control.