Thousands have been raised for an elderly couple and other families who have "lost everything" after a devastating fire ripped through a row of terraced homes.

Around 60 firefighters were sent to tackle the huge street blaze in Crayford Way, near Dartford.

The fire started in an area of grassland and soon spread to a row of four terraced homes.

Half of the ground floors were damaged by the fire and the first floors and the roofs of the properties were completely gutted.

Videos on social media showed large plumes of smoke rising above and a police cordon was put in place along Crayford Way between Mill Place and Thames Road.

A number of people had left the buildings before the London Fire Brigade arrived at Monday's incident.

Among those last to leave were pensioners Ivy and Tom Dowding, both 85, who have lived in the street close to the River Cray for more than 50 years.

The couple, who have five children together, had been sitting at the kitchen table unaware of the flames threatening to engulf their home when a neighbour, who works as a carer, came to their aid.

They were "dragged out into the street in their slippers" and given shelter before being taken to a family members' home nearby.

Son Steven Dowding, 64, described the "terrifying" moment he was alerted to the blaze which had begun to spread to his parents' property.

"When you get the phone call your heart just drops," he said. "They said the house next door to my mum and dad's was on fire.

"I rang them but they weren't picking up."

He contacted his older sister Carol, 65, who had also been attempting to get through but when they received no reply they drove to the house.

Steven, who lives nearby in Blackfen, added: "When I got there the police would not let me go through the cordon and I didn't know if they were still inside, it was a nightmare."

Shortly after, a neighbour informed him they had been safely evacuated after a carer who lives across the street came and got them out.

"My dad has got a problem with his hearing and my mother is a bit disorientated by it all," Steven explained.

"It is only because of the lady who came in and got them out."

Sister Sylvia Coleman, 66, added: "They were still indoors and sat at the kitchen table when the flames got through.

"They got dragged outside in their slippers and they didn't know what was going on. It is just horrendous, it really is."

"They got dragged outside in their slippers and they didn't know what was going on."

Steven says his parents have been left "shaken" by the incident and keep asking to go back to the property.

"They didn't know what was going on," he said. "My dad was more concerned about his cat, Fluffy.

"We have since found out he is alive and was hiding in the bushes at the back."

He added: "They have just got the clothes they have got on at the moment.

"I spoke to the fire brigade and they said they used hose reel jets and they are not sure anything will survive because there is water damage."

"I don't know how long it is going to be until we can get to the house."

Arrangements are currently being made to find them temporary accommodation.

Daughter Sylvia says her parents do not possess home contents insurance and are likely to have lost precious family albums in the blaze including photos of their late son.

"At that age they said they didn't need that as 'nothing is going to happen to us", Sylvia said.

Meanwhile, local residents have rallied together to donate clothes, toys and household items to affected families.

A GoFundMe page has been set up by nearby resident Victoria Morton to help "buffer the blow" which has raised nearly £4,000 at the time of writing.

She posted: "I'm setting this go fund me to help assist these families with the financial difficulties that they will now face.

"We cannot help replace everything this fire stole from them, and their precious memories, but this could help buffer the blow in a way we can help.

The Crayford resident has opened up her home to receive toys, clothes and bedding for affected families.

She added: "Its amazing to see the community come together.

"The purpose of this fundraiser is give the residents of each house financial support in getting back on their feet, whether that be repairs, or funds to stay somewhere else, or to replace what has been destroyed.

"It will be split between the houses affected four ways and hopefully help them get back on their feet."

Mr and Mrs Dowding's niece Debbie Goodall has been collecting donations for the pair also at her home in Dartford and shared pictures online of her hallway covered with items. A separate GoFundMe page has been set up for the pair here.

"I’m lost for words thank you doesn’t seem enough," she wrote.

Donations of tea towels, dish cloths, hand towels, a toaster and cutlery can be sent to 1 Grosvenor Crescent, Dartford, DA15AP.

Meanwhile, a JustGiving page has also been set up to assist one of the families which includes a mother and her two daughters, aged 12 and 10, and a son aged five. It has raised more than £4000 to date.

Chanelle Meredith wrote: “Today my best friend lost everything, literally everything in a house fire. She took pride in her house and built it into her home.

“The fire started in some bushes at the park bit at the end of her garden and spread so quickly to the house, as well as three other houses.

“The fence caught on fire and within minutes it had ignited the whole garden and canopy, it spread rapidly.”

She has asked people to donate toys, clothes and household items for the family. The page has so far raised more than £3,300.

Due to the severity of the fire it is unsafe for residents to return to their homes and collect their belongings. Of the four households affected, one is away on holiday and another is a private owner.

Three of the four homes – including Mr and Mrs Dowding's house – are properties managed by housing association, London and Quadrant (L&Q).

It says its on-call maintenance supervisor immediately visited the site and the next day staff were on the ground coordinating a response as soon as full possession of the site was returned to L&Q at 10 am.

On the first night, L&Q rented hotel accommodation at a Travelodge for Mr and Mrs Dowding and another family.

But the couple have since opted to stay with relatives until suitable long-term accommodation is found and agreed on and will receive a one-off £250 payment.

Gerri Scott, executive director of customer services at L&Q said: “We’re very sorry that this has been such an ordeal for the families living in these homes.

"Our staff were immediately on site to ensure our residents were fully supported and were there all day yesterday.

"We have done our best to help manage the impact on those affected by staying in touch, arranging temporary accommodation, and offering financial assistance.

“We will work with residents to find long-term homes they are happy with and that meet their needs. The devastation is severe, and we will continue to do everything we can to support residents at this difficult time.”

The fire brigade received 10 calls to the blaze at around 5.30pm on Monday and brought it under control just before 8pm.

Crews cooled and removed two gas cylinders as a precaution, as some cylinders can explode when exposed to heat.

There were no reports of injuries and the cause of the blaze is not yet known, the fire brigade said.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "Cordons have been put in place and nearby properties have been evacuated.

"The cause of the fire is not believed to be suspicious."