A COUPLE escaped a blaze which destroyed their countryside home.

The tenants had been inside the home on Streat Hill, Plumpton, when they were alerted to a fire by a smoke alarm.

The couple escaped and alerted the emergency services but the flames, fanned by strong winds, ravaged the bungalow and destroyed it.

East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service attended the house at 4.28 yesterday morning where fire engine crews spent most of the day tackling the flames.

Firefighters used a water carrier to ferry water from Plumpton College at the bottom of the hill up a steep rural track where the house is located.

Crew commander Pup Upton describing the fire said: “At the height of the fire we had five fire engines and two water carriers. Being on top of a hill there was always going to be an issue with water supply.

“The building has been totally destroyed by fire. In these windy conditions the fire very quickly spread.

“The occupants of the house were alerted by a working smoke alarm, which is one of the reasons why we advocated the installation of smokes alarms in domestic properties. They were alerted could see there was an already developed fire and left the premises, and called 999.

“Fairly quickly local crews from Lewes and Barcombe were confronted with a rapidly developing fire, which was being wind-driven. The fire quickly spread into the roof causing its collapse and collapse of the first floor into the ground floor.

“We are now dealing with localised hotspots within the collapsed structure.”

When The Argus visited the scene around 9.30am smoke billowed in the air as firefighters put out the remaining pockets of fire.

The charred building had its roof missing and beams were exposed to the elements.

Tom, a farmer who owns land adjacent to the bungalow, said: “I first knew about the fire when someone rang me at 8am.

“I believe the property is rented by two people. It is still flaming around the back.”

Lewes District Council building control were also on scene to make an assessment of the unsupported chimney stacks to ensure they are safe, as well UK Power Networks.

Crew commander Upton added: “At this stage it is not being treated as suspicious, and the cause of fire has not been determined. A fire investigation officer will be arriving to make early external assessments.”