An investigation is being carried out into a fire which claimed the life of an 81-year-old man in Westgate.

He was a resident in the Hockeridge Care Home in Canterbury Road where 25 people were led to safety after the blaze started in a first floor room at 11pm on Sunday night.

Around 30 firefighters, including eight wearing breathing apparatus, were sent to the three-storey building and managed to extinguish the blaze shortly after midnight. Firefighters fought the flames with a main jet, two hose reel jets and a hydrant.

At the height of the blaze five fire engines and specialist support vehicles were in place. Police and ambulance crews were also called and paramedics treated one casualty for the effects of smoke inhalation.

Police say there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the incident but add that a general inquiry is continuing.

A post mortem examination is being carried out tomorrow and an inquest will be held.