West Sussex firefighters entered a blazing flat to rescue the owner as he tried to tackle the flames himself.

Three crews who arrived just after 5.30pm yesterday to find smoke pouring from the premises were told by neighbours the occupier was still inside trying to put out the fire himself.

They found the man at the top of the staircase of the flat in South Street, Tarring, Worthing.

He was led from the building suffering from smoke inhalation and was treated at the scene by paramedics.

The small fire damaged a grill pan.

A spokesman for the fire brigade said smoke alarms had not been fitted.