Firefighters are investigating a blaze which left a generations-old farmhouse in smoking ruins.

At the height of the inferno, which started just after 10pm on Saturday, flames could be seen licking the night sky more than a mile from the scene.

The owner of Greentree Farm, Philip Etherton, was out at the time but his dog is thought to have died in the fire.

Mr Etherton returned home early on Sunday to discover his home, off Crawley Lane, near Balcombe, in flames.

More than 40 firefighters battled to save the house, fearing at first that Mr Etherton and his sister Patricia were trapped inside.

They had been unable to establish how the fire started because the remains of the building threatened to collapse.

Assistant Divisional Officer Mark Fisher said last night: "The building is severely damaged. Only the outer walls are still standing. The rest of the building has completely collapsed inward. We are still hosing it now.

"The owner is devastated. He is particularly upset about his dog, which we have been unable to locate."

Neighbours John and Barbara Emin said Mr Etherton had lived in the house for more than 20 years. The property is thought to have been in his family for generations.

Mr Emin said: "We looked out of the back window and we could see the sky pulsating. The fire lit up the sky with this orange glow and then we could see lights flashing, like a strobe.

"We are very glad Mr Etherton's sister was away at the time. I don't know what she would have done if she was in the house when the fire started.

"Mr Etherton is a very private person but his family is well-known around here. He owns a lot of land and his mother used to be Charles de Gaulle's chauffeur."

Father Roderick Jones, from Worth Abbey, comforted Mr Etherton.

He said: "I would think this is terrible for Philip in his present situation. I just thank God no one was injured."

Mr Etherton declined to comment.