Police have charged two men with arson with intent to endanger life following at flat blaze in Maidstone yesterday.

Terry Payne, 18, of Brishing Lane, Maidstone, and 18-year-old Stephen Whiting, of The Cockpit, Marden, have been remanded in custody to appear in court tomorrow morning.

A man and a woman, both in their sixties, were freed from the flat in Durham Close shortly after 1.40am.

The man was inside the house and rescued by firefighters while the woman was rescued from a balcony.

Both were suffering from smoke inhalation and were taken to hospital.

Two crews from Maidstone and one from Marden attended. The property has been left severely damaged.

Anyone with information about the fire is asked to contact Kent Police on 01622 604213.