POLICE are investigating the cause of a fire at a home in a Kent town in which a man could have died.

The fire took hold of the home in St George's Place, Hythe, at 2.30pm on Sunday. Firemen rescued a 27-year-old man from inside who was unconscious.

Three neighbours had made brave attempts at a rescue but were beaten back by the velocity of the blaze.

The man was taken to the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford and was subsequently transferred to Whipps Cross Hospital in London where he was in a stable condition.

Kent Police spokesman Jon Green said: "Forensic investigation teams from Kent Police are at the scene to assist officers with their enquiries."

The man was found in the lounge of the house by firemen wearing breathing apparatus. Initial reports had suggested there were two people in the property.

Two fire crews from Hythe, one from Folkestone and another from Dymchurch attended the blaze, as well as an incident control lteam from Canterbury.

Folkestone fireman Andy Batchelor said: "It was a very severe fire."

Firemen managed to prevent the blaze spreading to neighbouring properties.