by Katie Alston

A man's life was saved by a his neighbour after a fire in his basement flat in Canterbury.

Fire crews were sent to the property in New Dover Road at 12.50am Saturday to reports of smoke coming from the windows.

After hearing the fire alarm the neighbour broke down the door and tried to wake the occupant.

When crews arrived two firefighters went into the property with breathing apparatus to help the neighbour pull the man to safety.

He was taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation.

The blaze is thought to have started as a result of cooking appliances being left on. The flat was badly damaged.

Watch manager Matt Deadman said: "The owner of the flat was very lucky.

"Although the fire alarm went off he had slept right through and if it hadn't been for the neighbour things could have been very serious indeed."