A patient has been taken to hospital after a fire sparked a care home evacuation and huge emergency response.

The resident of Laleham care home in Herne Bay was sent to Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital (QEQM) in Margate for treatment this morning.

In an update at 3pm, Kent Fire and Rescue said the crews have now left the scene.

There were 56 residents escorted away from Central Parade at about 9am.

Firefighters, who arrived in at least eight engines and a specialist height vehicle, could be seen working at the building, which appears to have suffered damaged tiles.

The facility's windows were thrown open while crews dampened down the roof, as onlookers could be seen comforting each other.

Meanwhile, the ambulance service sent a specialist Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) to the scene along with other paramedics.

Gordon Hood said he first started hearing sirens from his home in Beltinge Road.

"They carried on for ages going down Canterbury Road towards the beach, he said.

"I walked down at about 9am expecting to see the pier or the big block of flats at St Anne's on fire, not the Laleham.

"I've heard the paramedics say they've got everyone out safely, so that's good news."

Meanwhile, local cafe The Pier Ceylon has been celebrated on social media for taking in the residents and giving them tea, coffee and refuge from the incident.

A fire service spokesman said at 3pm today: “Firefighting operations have now finished at the care home in Central Parade, Herne Bay.

“The fire started on the second floor and had spread to the roof space.

“At the height of the incident, eight fire engines and two height vehicles were in attendance.

“Crews, wearing breathing apparatus, used hose reel jets and main jets to extinguish the flames.

“56 residents were safely evacuated. Two residents were passed into the care of SECamb paramedics.

“The cause of the fire is believed to be accidental, caused by an electrical fault.”

Speaking at about 11am this morning, an ambulance service spokesman added: “We were called to this incident at 8.25am and have sent a number of ambulances to the scene, including our specialist HART team.

“A single patient will be taken shortly to the QEQM by ambulance for further treatment.

“We remain on scene at present to support our fire service colleagues and to provide further patient assessment if needed.”