A terrified mum and her baby were trapped in their smoke-filled flat in Canterbury when fire broke out in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

The blaze started on the ground floor of the two-storey building in Godden Road at around 1am and filled the stairwell with choking fumes.

Most residents were able to get out, but Shannon Cooper, 20, and her five-month-old daughter Karaleigh were unable to escape.

The pair - who who staying overnight with tenant Laura Aitcheson, 41, Liam Jackson, 23, and Courtney Aitcheson, 16 - were alerted by the sound of a smoke alarm and dialled 999.

They were advised by the fire service to stay in the flat and put pillows up against the door.

Miss Cooper said: “The operator was concerned about the baby breathing in the smoke.

“It was quite bad in the corridor and on the stairs and landing and seeping under our door into the flat.

“The fire brigade got here very quickly and ventilated the building so we could get out, but it was quite scary for a while.”

Firefighters believe the fire was caused by a smouldering cigarette setting bedding alight in a ground floor flat and the 53-year-old woman occupier had to be treated at the scene for smoke inhalation by paramedics.

Now they have issued a warning about the dangers of discarded cigarettes and the dangers of smoking in bed.

Crew manager Mike Godden, who led the firefighting operation, said: “It appears a bed was made up on the sofa in the lounge and the occupant may have fallen asleep with a cigarette, which has caught the duvet alight.

“Most of the residents were able to get out but a family on the top floor were trapped in their flat because the corridor was filled with smoke.

“Naturally, they were a little anxious but we were able to quickly ventilate the building and lead them out.

“The woman in the flat where the fire started did have to be treated for smoke inhalation at the scene.

“Fortunately, the alarm was raised by a smoke alarm but we advise people against smoking in bed where there is a danger they will fall asleep and leave a cigarette smouldering.”