by Sean Delaney and Megan Carr

Neighbours have praised the bravery of a fire crew who rescued a pensioner from a house blaze.

Residents called 999 at around 11.15pm on Saturday after noticing smoke coming from the kitchen of a property in St James's Avenue, Gravesend.

Firefighters arrived to find blackened windows and entered the home where they managed to get a man outside onto the pavement.

They tackled the blaze before using a large fan to clear smoke and fumes from the property.

Crews performed CPR and gave oxygen therapy to the casualty.

He is believed to be a long-term resident and is in his 70s or 80s.

Dezider Horvath, 45, and his partner witnessed the arrival of the fire crews at the scene.

Smoke is seen coming out the front door of the property

He said: "There was a lot of smoke coming out of the house in our row where an older gentleman lives.

"He was possibly unconscious as they carried out CPR."

He added: "We do hope that our neighbour is safe and well after this accident and we wish him a fast recovery."

Ambulance crews confirmed he was treated at the scene before being taken as a "priority" to hospital where it is believed he remains.

Nobody has seen him since and the fire service knocked on residents' doors yesterday to try to establish a next of kin.

They were told he will be unable to receive visitors due to the ongoing Covid-19 situation.

Another resident said as far as he was aware, the man was doing alright.

He said: "On Saturday night the whole road was blocked off with fire trucks. The fireman brought him out on a stretcher and sheets were up everywhere.

"You could see smoke coming out of the front of the house. He has always lived here, keeps himself to himself mostly."

Others seemed unaware a fire had taken place with one resident adding: "I was asleep. When I woke up, I didn't see any smoke or flames. I only realised there was a fire because of all the fire trucks."

Mr Horvath, who represents the Romani Slovak Czech Community group, went on to praise the bravery of the initial firefighting team's response.

He said: "From our perspective the first team of firefighters from Thames-side delivered an amazing job.

"They saved the man from the property, performed CPR and provided a breathing mask while an ambulance crew was on standby."

Four police cars were also reported to be in attendance and officers cordoned off the area.

Mr Horvath said neighbours were outside recording the incident before being told by officers to go inside and that a constable would speak to them.

He said: "Our worries as the neighbours were that the fire could spread, that the gas could explode and cause substantial damage," he said.

"Then you also quickly wonder if you are insured for fire and how something like this is so close to happening.

"It would have been helpful for people to know where the smoke started from."

Damage to the outside of their neighbour's home has been minimal.

But Mr Horvath and his partner, who have lived in the road for more than five years, said it was not the first fire they had witnessed.

They have since received a letter in the post from fire crews outlining steps to stay safe but no reason behind the blaze.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service said the fire was under investigation and the cause is currently thought to be accidental.

Read more: all the latest news from Gravesend