A block of flats was evacuated early today and a man who was rescued had to be resuscitated on the stairs.

Around 25 people in their nightclothes were escorted from Connaught House, in The Esplanade, Bognor, to a nearby hotel while firefighters battled with the flames just after midnight.

The blaze started in the kitchen of a first floor studio flat, where a man thought to be in his 30s was found on the floor by firefighters who went into the building using breathing masks.

Assistant divisional officer Duncan Dodd, of Bognor Fire Stations, said: "We rescued him and dragged him out of the flat.

"The paramedics resuscitated him on the stairs.

"He went into a fit and he was rushed off to hospital.

"A second person, an older man, had to be taken from the second floor.

"Everyone else got out on their own and they were escorted to the Royal Hotel.

"We fought the fire and put it out but the building was smoke logged.

"We put in a ventilation fan to blow the smoke out and opened all the windows.

"Some of the flats were unoccupied but we weren't sure if anyone was in or not, so we had to break in."

Royal Hotel manager Tracey Coombs said: "We just let them in and gave them coffee and money for cigarettes.

"They were generally in good spirits, although there were a few who were worried about their stuff, obviously.

"They sat in the lounge bar and just waited until it was all over."

Twenty-three firefighters from Bognor, Chichester and Littlehampton were called to the scene.

Jason Cullip, who works in the nearby Elizabeth II pub, said: "There were lots of flashing lights, ambulances and paramedics.

"There weren't many people about but we know someone who lives in Connaught House, so we wanted to check that he was okay.

"There was lots of smoke but no flames coming from the window."

ADO Dodd said of the flat where the fire started: "There were a lot of contents stacked from the floor to the ceiling. It was one of those flats with clothes piled around and other stuff."

A spokesman for West Sussex Fire and Rescue said: "All occupants were alerted by the fire alarm, which saved further casualties. The cause is still being investigated."