A “devastating” fire which ripped through a block of flats was caused by an unattended cigarette, the fire service has said.

Twelve families lost their homes due to the building blaze in Nursery Grove, Gravesend, last Tuesday (May 20).

The emergency services, including fire crews, police and paramedics, were called to the Moat housing association-owned block shortly before 3.30pm.

At its height, eight fire engines, a height vehicle and a bulk water carrier were in attendance.

Some properties were smoke-damaged while others were burnt entirely.

Fire crews left the scene at around 12.30am the following morning (May 21) after extinguishing the flames and dampening hotspots, and the building was cordoned off.

It has since been confirmed that unattended smoking materials were believed to have caused the blaze.

The fire service has now urged people to make sure their cigarettes are always fully out and cooled before being disposed of and to use ashtrays that cannot be easily tipped over.

It has also advised those who do smoke to do so outside of the home to reduce the risk of fire.

There were no reported injuries and all people were accounted for with tenants being put up in various hotels and temporary accommodation.

Two fundraisers have been set up to help those who have lost their homes. You can find them here and here.

In the meantime, community members have also been rallying to provide support for the families by donating items like clothes and furniture.

Executive director of housing and customer experience for Moat, Marek Witko, said the housing association is helping its tenants following the fire.

He added: “We remain in close contact with our customers and are supporting them through this challenging time.

“Our priority is to ensure they have everything they need, while also listening carefully to understand their ongoing needs.

“Above all, we are committed to their safety and well-being as we work through this together.

“At this stage, we are awaiting the completion of a full assessment of the building. Once that is finalised, we will be in a better position to determine the appropriate next steps.”

Speaking at the time, mum-of-two Holly Standen, whose flat has been smoke-damaged, said: “I smelt the fire before I saw it.

“I was just about to go and pick my daughter up from school, and I was standing on the balcony on the phone to someone, and I said, ‘God, it smells like someone’s having a barbecue’, and I had to shut my doors, because it smelled so bad.

“Then, a lady who lives underneath was on the field screaming my name, saying ‘Holly, Holly, are you in the flat?’

“You could see the fire on the balcony. By the time I got back, it was literally just engulfed in flames – there were firefighters everywhere.”

Nursery Grove resident Suru Forster, 55, added: “I heard my neighbour shouting ‘fire’ and we ran out. I thought it was my house. I couldn’t see the fire, I could just see the smoke.

“It just went up. It was a matter of minutes. It is devastating. They have lost everything.”

Neighbour Ian Morgan, 60, added: “They came out screaming. They were shouting and ringing the doorbell to get out because there was a fire. It went up pretty quickly. It is a terrible shame.”

Pictures from the scene the next day showed the damage to one of the top-floor flats and the roof of the building, which had been badly burnt.