THERE was a fire in the bedroom of a mid-terraced house this morning.

Two people and two cats were rescued by firefighters from the burning building.

Three fire crews, two from Crawley and one from Reigate over the border in Surrey, were called to Climping Road, Ifield, at about 1.30am today, and remained on the scene until about 2.45am.

Four firefighters wearing breathing gear and carrying hoses went into the smoke-filled property while others directed water jets from outside.

A spokeswoman for West Sussex Fire and Rescue said: "The crews rescued two cats, one female and one male, and both were treated at the scene for minor smoke inhalation."

She added that the extent of the damage meant the bedroom was "no longer habitable".

The fire is believed to have started by accident.