A couple and their dog escaped unhurt after a fire started in their living room and destroyed their home.

West Sussex Fire Brigade received numerous calls from people who saw smoke billowing from the roof of the house in Goring Way, Worthing, on Friday morning.

Three fire tenders from Worthing and an engine from East Preston were called to the blaze.

Investigators are looking into the possibility that the blaze was started by "smoking materials" in the living room of the bungalow, which did not have a smoke alarm.

Sub officer Darren Wickings, of Worthing Fire Station, said: "The couple who live in the premises were taken to hospital for a precautionary check-up and they had a little bit of smoke inhalation.

"Quite a lot of their property and personal possessions were destroyed in the fire."