Twenty firefighters from across Sussex fought a blaze in an empty bungalow in Lancing last night.

Flames and smoke began pouring from the semi-detached bungalow in West Lane shortly after 6.15pm.

Fire crews arrived to find the roof well alight with flames shooting into the air.

They led the family next door to safety and formed a fire break in the roof to stop the flames spreading.

Neighbour Terrence Bassett said: "The firemen were here quickly and did a good job in preventing the fire spreading to my property, but there is a lot of smoke and water damage."

Fire engines from Worthing, Lancing, Shoreham, Bognor and Hove were called to the scene.

Brigade Assistant Divisional Officer Roy Jackson said: "Most of the ground floor and the roof was totally destroyed. "

The property is owned by a local man who has several other properties in the area for investment and letting purposes. It was fully furnished and the garden was well maintained.

Police are investigating the cause of the fire.