RESIDENTS in a Kent apartment building were forced to quit their homes when part of the building filled with smoke early on Tuesday.

More than 30 fire fighters from Margate, Ramsgate, Thanet and Westgate stations were called to Invicta House, a tower block in Margate shortly after 1.30am.

At least two floors - the seventh and eighth - were smoke logged after fire broke out in a rubbish chute.

A fire and rescue service spokesman said: "We are not certain how the fire began but the detector alarms sounded and most people left their flats to check what was happening and leave the building.

"Crews wearing breathing apparatus went into the building to search and make sure no-one was trapped."