One person has been hurt and others, including a child, treated for the effects of breathing in smoke after a home went up in flames in the early hours.

Emergency services were called to a house in The Street in Mereworth, near Maidstone, just after 12.30am today.

WATCH: Firefighters tackling the house fire in Mereworth in the early hours. Video: UKNIP

Kent Fire and Rescue Service sent four fire engines, a height vehicle and KFRS’ Volunteer Response Team also attended.

The fire is believed to have started in a bedroom on the first floor, but the cause is not yet known.

One adult suffering burns, and two adults and a child suffering the effects of smoke inhalation, were already outside the house when fire crews arrived and were then treated by SECAmb paramedics.

Firefighters also managed to rescue two cats from the property.

Crews donned breathing apparatus and used two main jets, two hose reel jets and water from a hydrant to tackle the blaze on the first floor, which had spread into the roof space.

They were there until just after 5am.

Read more: All the latest news from Maidstone