An 89-year-old woman has died in a fire which police are treating as unexplained. 

Sussex Police scenes of crime officers surrounded the burnt out house in Barcombe, near Lewes, yesterday.

A police cordon was set up around the large farmhouse near the historic mill in Barcombe Mills Road following the fire shortly before 6.15am.

One neighbour said firefighters and Sussex Police officers had been going up and down to the property all day.

The Argus visited it and was told by an officer at the scene that the family involved in the fire had to move because the building was unstable.

They were still on the site, but in an adjoining building. 

An East Sussex Fire and Rescue spokeswoman said: “It was a fire in a home.

“The home was well alight and four pumps attended.

“The cause is still being investigated.”

Detective Inspector Mark O'Brien said today: "This is a tragic incident and the victim's family are being supported by police and the coroner's officer.

" At this stage we are treating the cause of the fire as unexplained and we remain open minded as to how it may have started.

"Building inspectors had decided that the home was currently not safe to go inside due to structural integrity.

"A forensic team working alongside fire investigators are currently examining the property.

"We expect to be at the property for the next couple of days while we assess the scene and establish any causes."