A woman is being treated in intensive care following an arson attack which left her trapped in her home in Sussex.
Firefighters rescued her from the bedroom of the property in North Corner, Horam, near Heathfield at about 2100 GMT on Thursday.
Sussex Police said she was initially treated for smoke inhalation at Eastbourne District General Hospital but her condition worsened.
She is currently in a stable condition in intensive care.
The force said it believed the blaze, which caused major damage to the hallway, was started deliberately.
'Property targeted'
East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said the woman was given detailed safety advice while crews were deployed.
A spokesman said: "The woman was told to remain low in the room, shut the door and block the base of the door with a towel or clothing, to prevent smoke from coming in to the room.
"She was also instructed to open the window and sit below it (to allow the fresh air to circulate) but to hang something out of the window to inform crews of her whereabouts in the building.
"When firefighters arrived they pitched a ladder against the property and rescued the woman via the window. They also carried her dogs to safety."
Det Insp Rob Morland, of Sussex Police, said: "We are in the very early stages of the inquiry but police are looking at possible motives as to why this property was targeted.
"If anyone has any information about the incident, or who saw anything suspicious in the area at the time, we would urge them to contact police."
