A man whose house was destroyed in a fire said yesterday: "We have lost everything."

Max Van Buttle, a painter and decorator, was also mourning the death of his German shepherd dog, Harley.

Two firefighters were hurt as flames wrecked the semi-detached house in Portslade.

Fire crews from Brighton were called to yesterday's fire in Wickhurst Rise amid fears people were trapped.

While checking for trapped people inside the building they found Harley's body on the first floor.

Mr Van Buttle said: "I was at work when I had a call from my wife, who had been alerted at her place of work by neighbours. I came straight home and found the whole place gutted."

Assistant Divisional Officer Adrian Brown said the blaze was severe. He said: "When the crews arrived they could clearly see smoke and flames coming from the first floor.

"Two officers were injured. One suffered an arm injury and the other had both ears burned. They went for a hospital check later as a precaution."