Four people were rescued after a fire broke out in a high rise block of flats.

Fifty firefighters from across Sussex were needed to tackle the blaze on the fifth floor of Wiltshire House in Lavender Street, Brighton, early today.

One person suffering from burns and another with smoke inhalation were taken to the nearby Royal Sussex County Hospital in Eastern Road, Brighton, for treatment.

A further ten people had to be led to safety from the 15-storey block of flats.

Investigations are continuing today into the cause of the blaze, which is believed to have started in the living room.

Firefighters at the scene said they could not find a smoke alarm in the flat which they said could have alerted the flat's owners earlier.

The room was completely destroyed and the rest of the flat badly smoke damaged. The fifth floor was also damaged by smoke.

Roedean fire station watch commander Spencer Bartley said: "When we arrived there were plumes of smoke coming from the balcony and we could see the fire had really taken hold and was developing fast.

"We used a lift to rescue four people and helped lead ten others to safety.

"Around 20 firefighters went into the building wearing breathing apparatus while others worked from the outside using an aerial ladder.

"It was a very severe fire."

East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service sent crews from Roedean, Preston Circus in Brighton, Hove and Lewes and neighbouring West Sussex provided back up from Burgess, Hill, Haywards Heath and Shoreham.