Fire victim named

Mrs Sonja Locke (66) had been a resident at Buxted Court since the May, Wealden District Council said.

A council statement said it was saddened to learn of the death of one of the residents of its sheltered accommodation at Buxted.

'The cause of death is believed to have been smoke inhalation,' the council said.

Leader of Wealden District Council, Cllr Pam Doodes, said: 'I would like to extend our sympathy to Mrs Locke's family on behalf of the council.

'This appears to have been a very unfortunate accident.

'We will be examining the events of Saturday morning to see if anything can be learned but we believe the safety procedures in place helped ensure that the fire was contained.'

Eight of the residents of Buxted Court had to be moved from their flats to the scheme's communal lounge during the operation on Saturday morning, but were allowed back later that day.

Mrs Locke's flat suffered extensive smoke damage, but the remaining flats have been unaffected.

Local councillors and officers spent the weekend visiting the scheme to reassure residents.