A FAMILY fled from their home after their washing caught fire.

The house in church Street, Eastbourne, filled with smoke during the blaze last night.

One adult and three children were already out of the property by the time a crew from Eastbourne fire station arrived soon after 9.15pm.

An East Sussex Fire and Rescue spokesman said: “The fire started accidentally in a washing basket in one of the bedrooms.

“There was smoke coming from the property when we arrived on scene but the occupants were already outside uninjured.

“We used breathing apparatus and one hose reel to deal with the fire which and damage was limited to the bedroom.”