THREE people were taken to hospital after a fire broke out in a flat.

Firefighters were called to Loder Road in Brighton at about 8.15am this morning following reports of a severe blaze on the first floor.

Three people at the property were treated for smoke inhalation and taken to Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton.

It took less than an hour to put the fire out.

An investigation has been launched into the cause of the blaze but a spokesman for East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said it was believed to have started accidentally.