Firefighters have praised a resident for helping a neighbour to safety after an unattended cigarette sparked a blaze which devastated a flat in Maidstone.

The emergency services were called to the ground floor property in Titchfield Close just before 1am this morning after the fire took hold in the living room, spread through the front window and began endangering the flat above.

By the time three engines arrived at the scene the occupant had been helped to safety. They and two others were treated for mild smoke inhalation but not taken to hospital.

Emergency workers extinguished the blaze by 1.40am and cleared the property of smoke using ventilation fans.

The flat has suffered extensive fire, smoke and water damage. The flat above suffered minor external fire damage and some smoke damage.

A spokesman for Kent Fire and Rescue Service said: "Fire crews have praised the neighbour's fast actions in helping the occupant out of the flat. They have also issued a message encouraging people to always call 999 in the event of a fire, no matter how big or small."