Police have launched an investigation after a block of flats in Maidstone were targeted by an arsonist last night.

Emergency services descended on Kingfisher Meadow, off Hart Street at about 3am after three wheelie bins caught fire in the building's storage area.

Residents have told KentOnline how they woke to find the bins alight. Andrew James said: "I was the first to see it was a real fire.

"I could smell smoke and saw large flames coming out of the bin storage.

"Me and another resident tried putting out the flames out using a hose but it quickly became out of control."

Two fire engines and police officers attended and the fire was out by 3.45am.

There was some smoke damage to flats and fire damage to the bin area.

A spokesman for Kent Police, said: "Officers attended and carried out house-to-house enquiries. The investigation is ongoing."

Anyone with information can call 101 quoting reference YY/6614/16.