A man who was was taken to hospital after a fire tore though his home and killed his two dogs, has died.

Christopher Head was rescued from his property in Rochester Road, Gravesend, last Wednesday night.

Mr Head, in his late 50s, was taken to Darent Valley Hospital and was on life-support for a couple of days, but it is understood he died on Friday night.

His two dogs, Alfie and puppy Syd, died at the scene of the blaze which is not being treated as suspicious.

Flowers and cards have been left outside his house from neighbours and friends.

One neighbour, Sylvia Howie spotted the fire when she saw flames coming from the back of the property, she and her husband Bill called the fire service.

Mrs Howie, said: "We heard a noise outside, we thought there had been a crash.

"I then looked out the back bedroom and I could see flames.

"We thought Chris might have been having a bonfire, but the flames were close to the house so we called the fire brigade as there was an awful smell.

"Then when they arrived, my husband went outside and told the Chris' was inside because from the front there really was no sign of a fire."

Mr Head, pictured here with Alfie, had lived in the property for about 30 years and has a son and used to work as an engineer on tugs in the River Thames.

He also previously had two car businesses.

Mrs Howie also paid tribute to Mr Head.

She added: "He was a real character, a charmer. He was full of life - you couldn't dislike him. He had his moments and he was always laughing.

"It is very sad he and the dogs died.

"We always saw him out the front walking the animals and he had not long had the puppy Syd.

Another neighbour who didn't want to be named said: "He was a real Jack the lad. He was a bit of a wild boy and he had a heart of gold."

Four fire engines were sent to the scene to tackle the blaze and Mr Head was given oxygen before he was passed to the care of paramedics, a pensioner who lives next door was given oxygen.

The crews also gave both dogs oxygen therapy at the scene but unfortunately they did not survive.

The area outside the house, which is next to a petrol station, was been cordoned off all the next day as police forensic officers as well as fire investigators carried out their investigations.

The fire started shortly before 10.30pm.

Spokesman for police, James Walker, said: "We were called to a report that a garden was alight at 10.24pm.

"Officers attended the scene and supported Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS).

The fire was originally being treated as unexplained but now is said to have been accidental.

North west Kent Coroners' Office said it was aware of the death and an inquest into Mr Head's death would be opened in due course.