A district councillor has been hailed as a hero after alerting neighbours to a fire which destroyed one house - and damaged another - in Dover on Sunday.

Cllr John Goodwin, who represents Tower Hamlets on the district council, said he was first on the scene as he cycled up London Road just after 6am and found himself covered in smoke.

"I looked up and could see the smoke coming out of the roof," said Cllr Goodwin.

"So I went to the next house and was about to ring the bell when a man came out and said there is smoke in his house. I told him to call 999 and then I heard someone. Because the smoke was so bad I couldn't see him calling the Fire Brigade, so I went next door and rang the door bells.

"A lady and a man came to the door and they didn't know what was going on, so I told them to get out. I could see flames in every window now.

"The fire engines arrived and I went down to the Eagle (public house) to stop the traffic coming up. I had a high vis jacket on so that helped. Eight fire tenders arrived and two ambulances. Then the police arrived and sealed off London Road."

One firefighter was taken to hospital after suffering injuries at the five-storey terraced house.

Investigations are continuing today into the cause of the blaze.

Fire appliances from Dover, Whitfield, St. Margaret’s and Folkestone, along with a height vehicle from Canterbury and specialist co-ordinating crews attended.

Initial reports led firefighters to believe that the house was unoccupied but breathing apparatus teams searched the building as a precaution.

Neighbouring properties were evacuated after the fire spread to the roof and fourth floors.

A spokeswoman said the firefighter was taken to hospital. His injuries are not thought to be life threatening.

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