Tenants have spoken of their horror as they tried to rescue neighbours from a burning block of flats.

A middle-aged woman is in intensive care after the roof fell on top of her during the massive blaze in Willow Gardens, Hurstpierpoint.

A firefighter was injured trying to rescue her.

Police and fire officers are investigating the blaze which ripped through a doz-en homes, while residents look for new places to live.

Daniel Sawyer, 21, who only moved into his flat five months ago and Liam Jordan, 17, who was living in a flat with his grandmother were enjoying a barbecue in nearby Willow Way when they heard their homes were ablaze.

Mr Jordan said: "By the time we got there we could not see anything, the whole street was full of smoke.

"I went in to get my dog Suki. I wanted to go and get the lady who was stuck in her flat but people jumped on me and pinned me to the floor, saying it was too dangerous. She's a lovely woman."

Neighbour James Carr, of Willow Way, said: "We saw a guy coming out with flames going over his head. We ran over and grabbed him before he was burnt to a crisp. It was pretty hair-raising. You could hear all the windows popping out and smashing with the heat."

The fire is thought to have started in a first-floor kitchen.

The injured woman, who has not been named, was taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton, where she was described yesterday as in a serious but stable condition.

Both Mr Sawyer and Mr Jordon are now having to stay with relatives in Hurstpierpoint.

About 80 firefighters in 12 engines and support vehicles fought the fire which broke out at 9pm on Sunday.

Richard Bond, Mid Sussex district commander, said: "How nobody else was injured or killed is practically a miracle. Our firefighters did a cracking job - getting in there, limiting the danger and rescuing the lady. He said they had to search every flat as they did not know how many people were in them.

Downland Housing Association, which owns the block, said 12 flats had been affected by the blaze and they were finding alternative accommodation for the residents.

"This has been a terrible experience for people and we want to do all we can to offer our support."