Two people were evacuated from their homes and taken to hospital after a fire broke out in the communal area of a block of flats this morning.

Fire crews were called to the building in Newtown Green, Ashford around 4am today.

A spokesman for the service said it was a relatively small fire in the stairwell but produced quite a lot of smoke.

The two residents were taken to the William Harvey Hospital by ambulance as a precautionary measure and are not believed to have suffered serious injuries.

Firefighters sent two engines and were there for nearly an hour.

It is not yet known how the fire started but police were called and it is under investigation.