A community has been praised for pulling together after fire gripped a terraced house.

Craylands Lane in Swanscombe was reopened at around 7pm following the blaze.

Around 15 people from the neighbouring pub and about 10 people from adjoining houses had to be evacuated to a leisure centre while firefighters spent almost two hours battling the flames.

Dartford watch manager John Allwright said: “The staff at the leisure centre and pub were fantastic, really supportive, as were the immediate community who really pulled together helping to provide welfare for the residents and the firefighters.”

“The rapid response by the crew was outstanding. They did an excellent job of stopping the fire inside the house and the loft and preventing it spreading to neighbouring properties.

"Once the fire was out crews also visited neighbouring properties fitting smoke alarms where needed and talking to people about keeping safe from fire.”

An investigation into the cause of the blaze will take place tomorrow with the help of the police.

Firefighters were called just before 4pm and three fire engines and a height vehicle were sent to tackle the fire in a first-floor front bedroom.

Crews made steady progress fighting the blaze and removing roof tiles as there had been some spread to adjoining common roof voids.

The fire was extinguished by 5.40pm when firefighters started cutting away and damping down remaining hot spots.