Several families have been left homeless after flames engulfed flats in Marden last night.

The blaze took hold just before midnight in the three-storey block's ground floor bin store, with teams fighting the fire for more than three hours.

Crews were on the scene at The Cockpit within five minutes and the occupants from four of the flats were all quickly accounted for.

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A breathing apparatus team were immediately sent into the building to find that all the common areas were smoke-logged as were several of the flats.

Crews forced their way into two further properties to make sure no one was inside.

Liza Smith, who has lived in the block for 17 years, spent the night at a neighbours.

She lives in the flat with her two sons and daughter.

VIDEO: The scene of the fire

She said: "I heard the alarm shortly after midnight and rushed downstairs. Luckily we could use the back doors to get out.

"It was terrifying, my kids were in bed at the time. My 11-year-old son had to be treated for breathing in smoke.

"This block is normally really quiet, everyone gets on really well. The firefighters were great and managed to stop the flames spreading."

Residents also praised the fire service's quick response.

One said: "We're so lucky to have a fire station in the village. In situations like this it really does make all the difference."

Fire crews left the scene just before 3.30am and duty of care was passed to Golding Homes for several families who are likely to need rehoming.

The blaze is not believed to be suspicious at this stage and no one required hospital treatment.