A woman has been arrested on suspicion of arson following a fire at a block of flats.
Residents were evacuated from the four-storey building in Hooper’s Road, Rochester, as a precaution earlier today (July 8) while emergency crews dealt with the incident.
Four fire engines and a height vehicle were called to the scene at around 9.30am, and firefighters used hose reel jets to extinguish the blaze.
No injuries have been reported, and the fire, which was contained to the one flat, was out by 10.50am.
Up to 20 residents were ordered to leave the block.
One person living in the building, who did not want to be named, says he was still asleep when the fire broke out.
“It wasn’t until my partner dragged me out of bed that I knew what was happening,” he said.
“She had woken up to the smell of the smoke.”
“A firemen had banged on our door and told us we had to evacuate around 9.30am and it wasn’t until around an hour to an hour and a half later that we were allowed back in.”
Meanwhile, another resident says she rushed to grab her cat as she was worried she wouldn’t be allowed back inside.
The 20-year-old said: “I woke up when I heard some of the MHS Homes workers and firefighters talking about a fire.
“I looked outside and saw the smoke from my window.
“I went and grabbed my cat and within a couple of minutes the fire bridge were at my door.
“I was worried we were not going to be allowed back in and less about the fire spreading as we have good fire doors. “
Police also attended the building, named Abbeville House, and a section was taped off while they conducted enquiries.
They have since arrested a 33-year-old woman on suspicion of arson.
She remains in custody while inquiries continue.
A single police car remains at the scene with residents told a police presence will remain at the scene to provide reassurance for the rest of the afternoon.
