Video: Firefighters tackle the
blaze. Footage courtesy Richard and Susan Miles

by Keyan Milanian

A 22-year-old man was arrested and has been released on bail
following a fire that destroyed a house and damaged neighbouring
properties.

Neighbours heard people shouting "fire, get out!" as the blaze,
which is being treated as suspicious, gutted the house in
Otway Street, Chatham.

Between
40 and 50 firefighters were called just after midnight on
Thursday.

Six fire engines were called to the two-storey mid-terrace
house.

One pump was still on the scene at 9am on Thursday although the
flames were extinguished at 2.30am.

Gas engineers cut the supply to the house and a police van
was at the scene.

Mum of three Sharne Mulley , said: “The first I knew about it I
was lying in bed and I heard someone shouting 'fire, get
out!’."

Another, expectant mum Amanda Paige, said: “My kids and I
woke up, I’m pregnant with only four days left till my due date so
it really scared me.

Station manager Darren Jenner praised the actions of
firefighters at the scene: “The fire developed into the roof void
of the terraces, but thanks to quick thinking and some fast and
aggressive firefighting, crews managed to prevent the fire from
spreading further.”

The man has been bailed until Monday, November 23.