SEVERAL families living in armed services’ accommodation had to be evacuated after a fire took hold and spread to nearby houses.

The fire broke out in a house in Kohima Place, on the Burgoyne Heights estate, on the outskirts of Dover on Friday.

It is believed an electrical fault started the fire in an upstairs bedroom of one of the terraced homes, which spread to the roof space then engulfed neighbouring houses.

A spokeswoman for Kent Fire and Rescue Service said four fire engines were sent to the scene. Crews came from Dover and Folkestone and a retained crew from Whitfield.

Crews have had to check the houses affected for people inside, and have only been able to enter the houses wearing breathing apparatus.

The KFRS spokeswoman added that everyone had been accounted for, although crews were likely to be on the scene for most of today.

Burgoyne Heights provided accommodation for soldiers and their families who used to be based at Connaught Barracks.

Now many of the homes accommodate Gurkha soldiers and their families, following the departure of 1 Para from Connaught Barracks and the town, in March last year.