Four fire engines were called to a blaze at a block of flats after residents heard a loud bang.

Emergency crews arrived at the Ingress Park site in Carmichael Avenue, Greenhithe, at around 9.15pm last night.

It’s believed one of the wooden balconies had caught alight, quickly prompting panic from people living nearby.

A fire service spokesman said: “Three people were checked over by SECAmb paramedics as a precaution for suspected smoke inhalation. No other injuries were reported.

“KFRS volunteer response team were also on-hand to provide support and advice to affected residents.

“It’s believed the fire started on a balcony and spread to a flat and a neighbouring balcony. The cause is not yet known.”

Videos captured from people at the scene show others running to and from the blaze with water in an attempt to help put it out.

Clare Hughes, who lives in flats nearby, said: "I could see the smoke and hear fire engines so I walked outside and there were lots of people following where the fire engines and police cars were gathering.

"The first floor of a building was on fire and it was creeping up to the second floor.

"I was standing next to a woman who lived in the same block of flats and she was crying, saying that was her home.It was really devastating."

Another resident, who didn’t want to be named, said: “There was quite a loud boom that I heard from my flat before going to investigate.

“I have always been mindful of the wooden balconies and when I heard that there was a fire I thought I'd go and have a look.

“The fire engines were there so quickly and put the fire out literally seconds later.”

Dartford MP Gareth Johnson thanked the emergency services for their response to the blaze.

“Thank God nobody was killed as a result of this frightening house fire,” he said.

“It seems that Kent Fire and Rescue acted very promptly to extinguish the flames which stopped this from being even more serious.”

He told KentOnline there had been “on-going fire safety concerns” for some of the properties on Ingress Park but added “it is too early to tell if these issues played a part in this fire”.

“It will clearly be a worrying time for many on the estate and so it is important that this fire is properly investigated to see what caused it and if the fire safety issues were a contributing factor.”