A man had to be rescued by firefighters after a blaze ripped through a flat in the early hours.

Crews were called to Canterbury Street, Gillingham, at 1.30pm today where a fire had started in a second floor flat.

As around 12 firefighters tackled the flames, the flat above had to be evacuated because it was becoming smoke logged.

The male occupant, aged 39, had to climb out of a window and down a ladder. He was treated for smoke inhalation.

The flat below also had to be evacuated as water started to come through the ceiling. The woman and her two young children were unhurt.

The owner of the flat was not at home and did not return while emergency crews were on the scene.

The flat was destroyed by the fire, the rest of the building suffered heavy smoke damage.

The cause of the fire, which started in a bedroom, is being investigated by police.