SIX people were rescued today after a fire broke out at a house in Gravesend. The blaze started in a downstairs room shortly before 4am, trapping the occupants in an upstairs bedroom.

The front door was alight when fire crews arrived on the scene in Parrock Street. Firefighters led the people trapped to safety about 20 minutes later, using an internal staircase.

The Kent Fire Brigade operator gave advice over the telephone while they waited to be rescued.

A spokeswoman for brigade said later that no-one had been hurt. The cause of the fire is is being investigated.