More than 30 firefighters fought a blaze in a picturesque block of terraced cottages at Fittleworth, near Pulborough, last night.

Police closed off the centre of the village and set up diversions as fire crews battled to stop the flames spreading to adjoining properties.

The blaze is thought to have started when a television set in one of St Richard's Cottages overheated and burst into flames shortly after 5.15pm.

The fire quickly spread and damaged much of the upstairs while the entire ground floor was blackened by the blaze.

The occupants managed to get out of the property before the blaze spread and nobody was injured.

The first fire engine on the scene arrived from Petworth and had to call for additional assistance after discovering propane gas cylinders were stored nearby.

Crews from Storrington, Midhurst, Chichester and Haywards Heath also attended.

Fire crews managed to stop the blaze spreading to neighbouring properties and left the scene at 11pm.