A disabled woman died after fire swept through the lounge of her East Sussex home.

An investigation was under way today into the blaze last night at the terraced house in Wilmington Road, Hastings.

A member of the public raised the alarm shortly after spotting smoke belching from the three-bedroom property.

Firefighters were called at 8pm but by then choking smoke had enveloped the lounge, where Mary Kitney was sitting in her wheelchair.

It is thought her husband Malcolm had popped out and she was in the house on her own. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Scenes of crime officers and a forensic team were working with fire investigators today to work out the cause of the blaze.

Fire officials said initial indications suggested no foul play was involved.

Leading Firefighter Paul Evans said: "It was a relatively small fire but it was the smoke that seemed to be the problem. Once we had got there it was apparent there was little we could do as it had been going for some time."

Neighbour Josiane Thain said of Mrs Kitney: "She was a very nice woman. We are all terribly shocked."