A 25-year-old single mum died after a blaze tore through her house during the middle of the night.

Emma Macintosh was found dead on her sofa by firefighters who smashed their way into her home in Albion Street, Southwick, during the early hours of Saturday morning.

The blaze started in the kitchen of her first floor flat and it is likely the 25-year-old mother of one was killed in her sleep by the thick black smoke which quickly enveloped the property.

Ms Mcintosh's young child was being cared for by its grandmother at another address during the night.

Fire chiefs said anyone in the flat would have been killed.

Early investigations suggest the 25-year-old arrived home from a night out and began cooking food in the kitchen before nodding off.

No smoke alarms were fitted in the property - a factor West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said is likely to have influenced Ms Mcintosh's death.

A spokesman told The Argus: "If she had alarms fitted she would almost certainly be alive now."

A neighbour raised the alarm at around 6.30am on Saturday after smelling smoke. However it is understood the blaze started some time before.

Fire crews from Shoreham and Hove forced their way into the locked flat and brought the remnants of the fire under control quickly.

Fire fighters and paramedics gave Ms Mcintosh emergency medical treatment at the scene but were unable to revive her.

Paramedics pronounced her dead at the scene and her body was taken to Worthing Hospital where a post mortem is being carried out.

Parts of Fishersgate and Southwick were brought to a standstill on Saturday morning as police closed off roads around the scene, causing delays for motorists.

Ms Mcintosh's distraught father was at the scene but was to upset to talk to The Argus. He was being cared for by Red Cross volunteers.

Neighbours expressed their shock at the fire. Carly Tester, 34, from Albion Street, said: "I didn't know the girl but it is horrible that someone that young has died."

Doug Hilton, 56, said: "From what I know the fire started very quickly and she didn't have much of a chance. If you're asleep when it starts you're already at a major disadvantage. Not having smoke alarms gives you almost no chance. It is tragic."

Police reopened roads around midday on Saturday. An investigation into Ms Mcintosh's exact movements in the hours running up to the blaze is now being carried out.

There were no suspicious circumstances.