Police appeal for witnesses after Hastings fire

Sussex Police are appealing for witnesses after a major fire in Hastings last night. A 66-year old woman living in Marine Parade jumped from a second floor window and was taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton with critical injuries to her legs and body.

Several residents from adjacent properties, including a building in George Street, were safely evacuated and given assistance by the local authority. The fire is currently being treated as unexplained.

Detective Sergeant Suzy Joseph said: 'We would like to speak to any witnesses, and in particular to three people, believed to be men, who held out a bedsheet or duvet to the woman had thrown down, to try to break her fall. They left the scene without giving us their details.'