A woman's flat was badly damaged by fire after she left a bedside lamp on.

Firefighters battled to put out the blaze in a ground-floor flat in Gratwick Road, Worthing, at 11pm last Wednesday but the heat and smoke caused extensive damage.

Heat from the bulb had caused nearby soft furnishings and clothing to catch alight and the occupants in the flat above called Worthing fire station after smelling smoke.

A station spokesman said: "She the occupant left a lamp on, which was the cause of the fire. The heat from the light caught some furnishings and clothing.

"The whole flat was severely damaged by smoke. The bedroom was completely gutted.

"The lady had gone out. Her young child was with family so there was no one in."