Detectives have launched a murder hunt after discovering the body of a young mother in a hostel fire.

The woman, thought to be 37-year-old Mel Gray, was staying in a top-floor flat at a halfway house in Three Bridges Road, Crawley.

It is not clear if the fire, which broke out in the early hours of yesterday, was the cause of her death but a Home Office pathologist was due to carry out a post mortem examination on the body today.

Thirty police officers are hunting a killer and carrying out area searches, house-to-house inquiries and forensic tests.

Detective Inspector Chris Standard, of Sussex Police's Major Crime Branch, said: "We are treating this as murder and urgently need help from the public."

Yesterday, flowers were left at the scene as a police cordon was drawn across the road.

It is believed Ms Gray had at least five children.

Mandy Martin, 32, of Broadfield, Crawley, who worked with Ms Gray at the Bay Trading Co clothing store in Crawley, said: "I hadn't seen her since she had started seeing her boyfriend.

"She was bubbly, loving and excellent in every way possible. I can't believe this has happened."

One floral tribute read: "To our darlin' Mel. We may not have seen each other much but you were always in our thoughts and heart. Rest in peace, precious one. You deserve that."

Ms Gray's flat, on one corner of the white and pink three-storey building, was wrecked by the fire and other parts of the property were smoke-logged.

Dense black smoke was seen belching from the hostel, used by Crawley Borough Council to provide temporary housing for the homeless.

Up to 13 residents, including young children, were roused by a smoke alarm and led to safety at the Moonraker pub nearby by the Haywards Heath Red Cross victim support unit.

Firefighters entered the building and managed to contain the blaze to one room.

Police refused to be drawn on what injuries the woman had sustained, saying forensic examinations were still ongoing.

Mr Standard added: "It was apparent that we had potentially a murder investigation when we arrived but as our inquiries have developed today we are quite confident that we are dealing with a murder."

Moonraker landlady Amanda Burton, 34, said: "We were still up when we saw the flashing lights outside and wondered what was happening.

"We could see that one of the flats was pretty badly damaged. There were about 13 people, including kids, standing outside.

"They had grabbed what they could before getting out. We let them in so they could keep warm and be interviewed by police.

"It is all quite a shock. We have only been here five-and-a-half weeks and haven't had any problems.

"Because we are not in the centre of town there doesn't tend to be much trouble."

Council spokeswoman Janet Preagus said: "As far as we are aware two families have been made homeless as a result of damage from the fire.

"The building is one of our hostels which we use instead of a bed and breakfast to house homeless people until they are rehoused or technically not homeless anymore.

"Usually the families live in bedrooms and have shared facilities such as a kitchen, bathroom and living area."

Householders in the area were shocked. One said: "Apart from a bit of minor crime, there are no problems round here."

Anyone with information should contact the Operation Edenberry incident room on 0845 6070 999 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.