Firefighters evacuated more than 20 elderly people from a block of flats in Herne Bay on Saturday after a blaze broke out shortly after midday on the third floor of the building.

Four crews and a turntable ladder went to Elizabeth Court in Queen Street, and brought out one man who was suffering with asthma and had to be treated for smoke inhalation. Another elderly woman was later taken to hospital after suffering a suspected epileptic fit.

The fire was contained to a back bedroom in a flat which was smoke-logged but firefighters said the occupant’s prompt action in closing the door prevented it from spreading.