Police have appealed for witnesses after a suspicious fire broke out in the roof of a terrace bungalow, causing severe damage.

Fire brigade night watch crews from Ashford were called to Goldwell Close, off Goldwell Lane in the village of Aldington at 2.26am on Friday, September 2.

A fire crew from the village station was already battling the flames, which is believed to have spread from a wheelie bin which was moved up against the property.

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A Kent Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said the fire had spread into the kitchen of the bungalow, and the two neighbouring properties suffered smoke damage.

Neighbour Bert Cotton said he was alerted after his fire alarms and carbon monoxide alarms went off.

VIDEO: Police are investigating the fire.

He said: “It was a dramatic night and the damage is pretty bad. All the tiles have gone from the roof. I heard a fireman coming to put the fire out.

“It appears that the wheelie bin has been moved from the bottom of the back garden up to the back door of the house then set alight.”

Mr Cotton, who suffers from diabetes, was treated by paramedics at the scene after smoke from the fire spread to the neighbouring properties.

His wife Judy said the bungalow next door was unoccupied, but a lady had been hoping to move in within the next few days.

She said: “She was so bad that we might have to get her a doctor for the shock. We are all shocked, my house is completely black because the smoke damage has come through to us as well.”

PCSOs are at the scene and the police are believed to be investigating the circumstances of how it started.

Anyone who has any information is asked to call police on 01843 222289 quoting crime reference ZY/030800/16.

Were you affected by the fire or did you see it? Contact the newsroom on 01233 895808 or email abarlow@thekmgroup.co.uk.