FIRE DEATH

An investigation was launched into the blaze which started in the living room of 69-year-old Michael Jacobs' flat in Cecil Norris House, Ravens Road, Shoreham, on Saturday night.

Mr Jacobs, who lived alone, was rescued from his ground-floor flat by firefighters wearing breathing apparatus and treated for burns before being taken to Worthing Hospital.

He was transferred to the Queen Victoria Hospital burns units, EastGrinstead, where he died on Sunday.

About 40 per cent of Mr Jacobs' flat was severely damaged by

fire and another 70 per cent by heat and smoke.

The sheltered housing complex is operated by Adur District Council and fitted with smoke alarms linked to the Careline system.

Two fire engines from Shoreham, one from Lancing and one from Worthing were sent to the fire when the alarm was raised by a Careline operator.

A council spokeswoman said all the flats in the complex had been evacuated under the council's emergency plan and alternative arrangements had been made for the residents overnight.

Council contractors worked overnight to restore services and to secure the building and people were allowed back into their homes on Sunday.

The cause of the fire is still being investigated, but initial enquiries suggest it might have been started

accidentally by a cigarette, according to West

Sussex fire and rescue spokesman Gary Towson. An inquest will be held into Mr Jacobs' death.