A young man is lucky to be alive after being rescued from his burning flat by a neighbour.

The block in Essex Road, Dartford, was engulfed in flames when a blaze broke out at about midnight on Tuesday.

A man in his early 20s was led to safety from the flat by a neighbour who smelled smoke.

At least four other families were evacuated and the man was taken to hospital with smoke inhalation.

It took 10 firefighters about an hour-and-a-half to bring the fire under control. The cause is not yet known.

A firefighter at Dartford station said: "There was thick black smoke engulfing the road and 6ft flames coming out of the door. This young lad had a very lucky escape and has a lot to be thankful for."