Police at the scene of the fire in McCudden Road, Dartford

by Rachel Hovenden

A man and two children were rescued from a porch roof by a neighbour after a fire at their home this morning.

The trio had climbed out of the Dartford house after the blaze broke out in the early hours.

It is believed the family were alerted to the fire at the back of the two-bed terraced property by a smoke alarm and escaped onto the porch.

The children are believed to be girls aged about one and four.

Neighbour Kamol Junaid, a 31-year-old IT technician, said: "I woke up at about 3am and saw the fire trucks. It's a nice area and not what you'd expect to happen."

A 37-year-old mother of two, who did not wish to be named, said: "It's terrible. I didn't see any smoke so I didn't think it would have been a fire."

Fire, police and ambulance crews were called to the house, in McCudden Road, at about 3.10am.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service said a neighbour had already rescued the trio from the roof. They were taken to hospital as a precaution.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus tackled the blaze.

The cause of the fire is being investigated by Kent Police and Kent Fire and Rescue Service.

Did you see what happened? Phone the newsroom on 01474 564327.