An elderly lady has died after a fire in her home.

Panicked neighbours called 999 after they saw smoke coming from the ground floor flat at Deerwood Court in Crawley at about 10.25pm yesterday.

Fire crews were at the Ifield Drive flat within five minutes and forced their way in. They found the 90-year-old occupant in the lounge and carried her out while the fire was brought under control.

Firefighters and paramedics tried in vain to save the lady’s life but she was declared dead at the scene.

An investigation is now under way to find out how the fire started.

If you would like to pay tribute to the deceased please leave your comment below.