A family's home was gutted in a fire just three days after they moved in.

The home, in Chandos Road, Worthing, caught alight during the early hours of today.

A neighbour yesterday said: “There were lots of fire engines.

“The family only moved in on Thursday and I’ve only met them once.”

A Worthing firefighter said: “It is believed the fire was caused by a candle.

“A woman was taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation. There was severe fire damage to the bedroom in the house.

“The family had just moved in and they did not change their fire alarms.

“The fire alarms were not working and they had melted and did not go off.”

He urged all new homeowners to check immediately that fire alarms in homes they were moving into – either rented or owned – were working.

Sussex’s fire services offer free home safety checks.

If you live in West Sussex call 0800 3286487.

If you live in East Sussex call 0800 177 7069.