A man was rescued by firefighters during a flat fire in Taswell Road, Rainham, this morning.

The man was found asleep in an upstairs flat and led to safety after crews were called to a fire on the floor below at about 9.15am.

Police and firefighters are now investigating the cause of the blaze which was said to be "suspicious".

Crews spent an hour fighting the fire, which damaged 50 per cent of the ground floor flat.

The occupants were not present at the time and no one was injured.