AN ELDERLY woman has been treated for burns and is in hospital after she was rescued from a blaze in her flat this morning.

The 77-year-old was taken to safety by firefighters and treated on the scene at Golby Court, in South Coast Road, Telscombe Cliffs, by paramedics.

Neighbours were also evacuated in the block of flats thought to be owned by Lewes District Council.  

A spokesman from the South East Coast Ambulance Service said: "SECAmb has attended this incident with ambulance crews in an ambulance and a car. A woman was treated for burns and smoke inhalation at the scene before being taken as a priority to Royal Sussex County Hospital."

East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said: “Two crews from Newhaven were called at 8.39am this morning to reports of a fire in a flat.”

Fire investigation officers were on the scene this afternoon. The service said more information will be available after 2pm.

A police spokesman said: “At 8.40am on Wednesday (21 January) the fire service called police to a fire in a flat at Golby Court, South Coast Road, Telscombe Cliffs.

"The 77-year old woman who was the sole occupant was taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton to be treated for burns and smoke inhalation.

"The fire is not being treated as suspicious and is believed to have been caused accidentally. Information about her condition is awaited from the hospital.”

The Argus is awaiting a statement from the council.