Three people were taken to hospital and a dog was rescued following a fire in Gravesend town centre.

Four fire engines and around 18 firefighters, four police cars, one ambulance and one ambulance car headed to West Street, where smoke was seen billowing from a window of a four-storey building.

A Kent Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said they were called at 1.04pm, adding: "The fire is in the basement and ground floor of the property and everyone is accounted for. A dog has been rescued by firefighters."

While crews tackled the incident, rain started to pour down.

The fire had been put out by 3pm and three women were taken to hospital as a precaution after breathing in smoke.

VIDEO: Firefighters tackle the blaze in West Street

A Red Cross vehicle was called to the scene to provide emotional and practical support to the occupants, KFRS said.

A short while earlier, just before 1pm, fire crews were also called to Mayfields in Swanscombe, where smoke had been spotted.

Two engines were sent, one each from Thames-side and Dartford, where they found a small fire in a washing machine.

They extinguished the flames and left about 15 minutes later.

The cause of the Gravesend fire is not yet known.