A Worthing teenager suffered burns after a candle set fire to his bedroom.

The 13-year-old had left the flame unattended in the upstairs room of his home in Cortis Avenue, Worthing, as he made himself a hot drink.

It is thought to have fallen over and set bedding alight before destroying much of the first floor.

The teenager suffered burns when he tried to put the blaze out himself. He then fled to call the fire service from a neighbour's home.

His mother, who was out when the fire started at about 7.45pm yesterday, was later treated for shock.

Worthing fire station Sub Officer Darren Wickings said: "When we arrived, the first floor of the house was well alight and there were flames shooting from several windows.

"The bedroom has been totally destroyed and the whole first floor is so badly damaged by the heat and smoke it is uninhabitable.

"We believe the fire started when a candle was knocked over, ignited bedding and then spread to the rest of the room while the young lad was making tea.

"We always say candles should never be left unattended but there were also no smoke alarms in the property, which would have alerted him to the fire much sooner."