FIREFIGHTERS are repeating warnings about the dangers of using chip pans after a man was rescued from a tower block fire in Margate.

The resident, who is in his 50s, was led from a 12th floor flat which was seriously damaged by heat, smoke and flames. He was treated for smoke inhalation at the scene and then transferred to the Queen Mother Hospital in the town.

Fire station manager Colin Brown was in charge of the incident at the 14-storey Invicta House at Millmead Road early on Thursday.

He said: "It is believed that the fire developed after the individual attempted to remove the chip pan to the balcony, causing the flames to develop and the pan was dropped."

Eighty percent of the kitchen and living room were damaged by fire with the remainder of the flat damaged by smoke and heat.

Mr Brown added: "The effects of a chip pan fire can be devastating and this incident is another example of the dangers of using them. I would strongly advise people to get rid of their chip pans and use safer alternatives.

"Luckily there were working smoke alarms present, all of which were activated and we cannot repeat enough the importance of fitting and regularly testing these small, life-saving devices.

"The crews at this incident acted in a very professional manner and demonstrated that the training they do in high rise buildings really does pay dividends."

About 50 firefighters from across east Kent were at the scene at the height of the fire that sent black and grey smoke billowing out of the window at around 8.40am.

Fifteen people were evacuated for safety reasons as firefighters wearing breathing sets used jets to tackle the fire which was contained to the apartment on the 14-storey building.

Nick Leech, ambulance service clinical operations manager for Thanet, said: "All the emergency services worked extremely well together in what could have been a much more serious incident. Thankfully, only one person required treatment at the Queen Mother Hospital in Margate for smoke inhalation."

Fifteen other people were evacuated as a precaution and were assessed by ambulance crews but did not require treatment.

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ONE resident was taken to hospital after fire broke out in a Kent tower block this morning.

Fifty firefighters from across east Kent were at the scene in Millmead Road, Margate, at the height of the blaze that sent black and grey smoke billowing out of the window at around 8.40am.

The 14-storey building was evacuated for safety reasons as firemen wearing breathing sets used jets to tackle the fire, which was contained to a 12th-floor apartment.

A man in his 50s was treated for smoke inhalation and taken to the QEQM Hospital in the town.

According to South East Coast Ambulance Service, 15 others were evacuated but did not require treatment.

A rescue service spokeswoman said: "A fire investigation team will examine the scene to discover the cause."

Police and ambulance crews also attended.