A STUDENT terrace house was almost destroyed by a fire started by an electric heater.

It is understood the heater caught light to a bed while the student was out of the room making a cup of tea in a communal kitchen.

Four fire crews were called to the house split into two flats in Ockley Road, Bognor, at about 10.40pm last night.

One of the students, a 30-year-old man, suffered from smoke inhalation as the occupants fled the inferno.

He was treated by ambulance paramedics but did not need to go to hospital.

Two crews from Bognor turned out initially, followed by others from Chichester and Littlehampton to tackle the blaze. Six firefighters in breathing gear made their way into the house and, using two hoses and another from the outside, put out the flames.

In the end, about half of the ground floor was destroyed while most of the house was smoke-damaged.

Crews spent the rest of last night damping down, leaving at 12.15am today.

A West Sussex Fire and Rescue spokeswoman said: "Colder temperatures are on their way so if you are going to use a heater make sure you place it in the centre of a room away from any furniture or flammable items.

"If you are going to leave the room switch off the appliance. And make sure you have a smoke alarm."

The cause was accidental.