TWO people died early today in a house fire in a Kent seaside town.

Firefighters and police were called to the property in Quern Road, Mill Hill, Deal, shortly before 6am. The South East Coast Ambulance Service also attended.

A neighbouring property has been evacuated and the road has been also closed to traffic.

Kent Police said an investigation had been launched into the cause of the blaze.

A press conference outside the burnt-out house revealed that the blaze probably started in the lounge downstairs.

The two bodies, as yet unidentified, were found upstairs in the semi-detached house by firefighters wearing breathing apparatus.

It is believed a mother and her two young children lived in the rented home.

Det Insp Steve Bridges, from Dover Police Station, said two members of the public travelling home from work at 5.45am raised the alarm when they saw smoke coming from the building.

Deal firefighters put out the blaze and found the bodies of two people during a search of the house.

Det Insp Bridges stressed: "The firefighters have asked us to express condolences to the family and friends of the people who died today."

A full investigation is continuing into the fire and the possible causes of death of the two occupants, although the police have said there was no indication of any suspicious circumstances.