A HUGE fire that ripped through a block of flats could leave residents there homeless for several weeks.

A top-floor apartment in Walmer Castle Road, Walmer, near Deal, was completely destroyed and nearby flats severely damaged. All the residents lost valuable possessions but escaped to safety.

Firefighters fought the flames for more than three hours early on Tuesday.

Six pumps, breathing apparatus and an aerial appliance were used by firefighters after they were alerted at 12.50am.

Fire investigation teams are trying to discover the cause the inferno which could be linked to an incident at a neighbouring property hours earlier, when it is believed a decorator’s paint-stripper ignited some old bitumen, sparking a smaller fire.

Despite the smaller fire being extinguished by firefighters from 7.30pm on Monday, it is possible the incidents are linked.

Neighbour Richard Sirot, said: "Firefighters doused the [first] fire for 20 minutes and used thermal imaging to ensure that there was no heat left or any material in a combustible state.

"One possibility is that somehow the bitumen reignited and through an unusual chimney effect found its way into the loft. There is a possibility that both fires were completely separate, unrelated incidents."

Assessors will decide how to secure the building and remove the debris.

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