The air ambulance was called to help a woman in a serious condition after a fire took hold in a fourth floor flat in Maidstone.

Crews were called to a blaze in Pudding Lane just before 7.30am, with attention focussing on Star House.

Emergency services were at the scene.

The road remains open but two police vehicles including a forensic van are parked round the corner on Medway Street.

Six fire engines attended, and crews wearing breathing apparatus rescued a women who was treated by SECAmb paramedics and the air ambulance before being taken to a London hospital where she remains in a serious condition.

British Red Cross and the fire service’s Volunteer Response Team also attended to support residents impacted by the incident.

An investigation into the cause of the fire is underway.

No other people were injured.

An employee from a nearby corner shop said: “It looked quite serious and we could see smoke coming from near the top of the building then loads of cars and sirens came down the street."

Last month Star House was the scene of another large emergency service response after a pregnant woman was stabbed.

Maureen Cleator, who recently set up the Pudding Lane Residents' Association, says the presence of the emergency services in the area is all too common as the street is 'blighted by crime'.

The society made up of those who live, work and run independent businesses in Pudding Lane are hoping to spearhead a community effort to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour.

Mrs Cleator, 63, said: "The majority of people who live here are lovely and just want to get on with their lives and it is the minority individuals that are causing problems.

"We can't have this mayhem, which is going on every single week, continue.

"This isn't about stigmatising people, we just want a safe environment and we want to help in any way that we can."

The association is hoping to invite community representatives to a Zoom meeting to discuss possible causes of action to help make the street safer.

Read more: All the latest news from Maidstone