Residents caught up in a flat fire have described how they banged on doors to wake neighbours as smoke filled the building.

The blaze, which began in the basement flat of the six-storey building in Clifton Crescent, Folkestone at around 5am, left two people in hospital after breathing in smoke.

Sam Hayward and Michele Schenko, who live at the property, rang the emergency services.

Scroll down for video

Mr Hayward said: “We both woke up to the fire alarm, so we ran out to other flats and were banging on doors waking people up to get outside.

“We went straight down, there was a bit of smoke but the fire had only started.

"But by the time we got outside the smoke that was coming from the flat was really thick.”

Ms Schenko added: “I called 999, it was amazing how quickly the fire service turned up.

“We just hope that the people who got taken to hospital are okay.”

Two people found to be suffering heavily from the effects of breathing in smoke were given oxygen therapy by crews before being taken to hospital.

A further two people were also affected by the smoke, and were checked over.

Another resident, who asked not to be named, said: "I was woken up by the fire alarms and went outside.

"We were evacuated for four hours so I haven't been able to get to sleep yet.

"I’ve never known anything like this before."

Russell Holborough, who lives opposite the building, noticed the incident as he left for the school-run.

He said: "I was taking my kids to school and they asked me what had happened.

"I saw the electric company and saw the forensics and thought 'oh no'.

"I've lived here for two and a half years, this isn’t the sort of thing that happens round here."

Remaining police officers were joined by a fire officer, forensics team and engineers from UK Power Networks who made sure electrical supplies were isolated.

Most residents were allowed back in this morning, but the flat where the fire started was cordoned off for investigations to establish the cause.