An electrical fault is thought to have sparked a fire which almost destroyed a thatched house in East Sussex.

Firefighters from Hastings, Battle, Bexhill, Broad Oak, Uckfield, Lewes and Heathfield were called to the blaze at Sprays Bridge Farm, Westfield, near Hastings, yesterday at 3.30pm.

Flames had caught hold of the roof which collapsed as firefighters battled to contain the fire.

Hastings firefighters remained on the scene until 10.30pm last night and returned for an inspection of the property at 7am today.

The residents were not injured and fled the house when they realised it was alight.

A spokeswoman for East Sussex Fire Brigade said the fire was not being treated as suspicious and it is thought an electrical fault is to blame.