Kind-hearted neighbours have rallied to support families affected by a devastating fire.

Two newly built homes were destroyed with a third suffering minor damage in a blaze in Cornfield Row in Deal, which firefighters say started from a lawnmower at around 7.15pm last night.

Residents say the two properties most affected were occupied by a mother with three older children and a middle-aged couple, who ran out of their properties with just the clothes they were wearing.

Leanne Van der Merwe, 25, who lives nearby was among those who rushed to help.

She said: "One of the young girls whose house was on fire was running down the street banging on doors, trying to get people to come out because the fire was roaring from the wind.

"At that point I just put on my coat and ran out to help.

"The families were all sat outside crying on the floor, absolutely devastated.

"Within 20 minutes the flames had gone right up and the second house had caught alight by the time the fire brigade arrived.

"Because it was so windy, it was just spreading everywhere and there was black smoke everywhere.

"The whole street was out trying to help but there was nothing we could do. It was too late.

"As far as I'm aware they hadn't even lived there for a year.

"It was devastating."

Miss Van der Merwe said the only item the family had been able to save was a prom dress.

She said: "One of the young girls is doing her GCSEs. All of her paperwork, everything was in the house. She lost all of her revision. It's very upsetting.

"The only thing she managed to save was her prom dress. I'm not sure what made her think to grab that but she did."

Other residents, who have asked not be named, witnessed the devastating event unfold.

One woman recalled hearing a bang, thinking it was a car back-firing.

She said: "The families just ran out of the house. The poor kids just had t-shirts on. They were frozen.

"If you could have been here last night you would have seen the community spirit.

"People were making cups of tea, bringing blankets out and offering their spare rooms."

Another woman said: "It was so windy and the fire just took hold so quickly."

All young children were evacuated from the area for several hours and taken into neighbouring houses.

The families affected are understood to now be staying with relatives and friends.

Within hours, a just giving page was set up by Rebecca Wild which has already raised £470. You can donate here.

Miss Van der Merwe has since become a drop off point for donated items such as clothes, toiletries and crockery to help to those affected.

She said: "The support we've had already is crazy. It's inspiring to see that people are rallying together to help."

One woman travelled from Ramsgate to drop off mugs, plates and towels after hearing about the fire via social media.

Miss Van der Merwe said: "It's made me feel proud to live in this community.

"I've never been part of a tragedy quite like this and it really does open your eyes and make you appreciate the smaller things in life."

Concerned about storage space and also the families' needs, she is now asking people to donate food vouchers if possible.

If you'd like to help, you can get in touch with Leanne by searching 'Leanne Hayley Vdm' on Facebook or emailing leannehayley.vdm@hotmail.co.uk

Fire crews left the scene at around 11pm and have returned to the site today. They say a full investigation will be conducted once the buildings are deemed safe to enter.

Other inspectors have also been seen on site assessing the damage.

The homes affected were built less than two years ago with many families moving in in June 2017.

They were part of a 230-home development by Persimmon Homes, situated off Church Lane.