Police are still investigating a fire which destroyed a flat in Canterbury.

Three people were arrested after the blaze at Hertford Court, Kent Avenue, on Wednesday night.

A number of poeple were evacuated from the 24-flat council-owned building.

Among them was Geoffrey Kear, 59, who lives in a flat next to the one which caught fire and is still not able to return to his home.

He said: "I called 999 when I heard the smoke alarm go off and looked into the corridor to see it was filled with smoke.

"Then I could see the neighbour's flat was filled with a huge pinkish white flame and the windows had been blown out."

Residents will be allowed to returned once the city council has given them the say-so.

Up to 25 firefighters fought the blaze.

Crews were called at 10pm.

Canterbury crew manager Scot Pearce said the smoke alarms in neighbouring flats may well have saved lives.

“They were going off all around which was very helpful in making sure people got out,” he said.

A 23-year-old woman, a 25-year-old man and a 22-year-old man have been arrested in connection with the incident.