Two young women are lucky to be alive after a letter-box arson attack left them trapped in a Gravesend town centre flat.

The pair were rescued when a fireball ripped through the Parrock Street property after what is suspected to be petrol was poured through the slot.

Firefighters had to break down the door of the first-floor flat, above the former RSPCA charity shop, in the early hours of Saturday.

A joint investigation into the blaze has now been launched by Kent Police and Kent Fire and Rescue Service.

Manjit Subherwal, who runs Uku Beauty Treatments next door, said: "I'm in shock. It's terrifying to think that happened just below my shop. Thank God they got out."

For the full story see this week's Gravesend Messenger.