An elderly East Sussex man is in intensive care after being pulled unconscious from a fire.

The 78-year-old was dragged from his second-floor flat in Ellenslea Road, St Leonards, last night after being overwhelmed by fumes.

He was taken to the Conquest Hospital in Hastings as up to 15 firefighters from Hastings and St Leonards tackled the blaze.

Firefighters said initial inquiries suggested the fire was accidental, possibly started by a discarded cigarette or a candle. The flat did not have a smoke detector.

Two other people were led to safety from other flats in the three-storey block.