A disabled woman has died in a flat fire despite the best efforts of neighbours to save her.

Fire crews were called to Walshaw House, off Boxley Road, Maidstone, shortly before 10.30pm yesterday after a flat became engulfed in flames.

Four fire engines responded to the 999 call and those living in neighbouring properties tried desperately to rescue the woman from her home.

One neighbour tried to wade through the thick smoke and risked his own life to help her from the property but was unable to do so.

A child and his pregnant mother were also evacuated with the help of another lifesaver but the community is in mourning at the loss of a life.

Six people in total were treated by medics for smoke inhalation and an investigation is under way to establish the cause of the terrifying blaze.

Corelle Bruce, 38, who witnessed the blaze, said: "I was just going to bed when my son came down stairs screaming. I heard this god almighty bang and the flat across the road was on fire.

"I couldn't just stand there and watch it, it was awful. Smoke was billowing out. It was horrific.

"I came in after a while, my son was hysterical so I wanted to calm him down. I will have to ring up the school and say he's a bit traumatised.

"I could taste the smoke in my mouth this morning.

"Someone in another flat tried to save them from the flames."

Catrina Cork, a 14-weeks pregnant mother who lives above the flat where the fire started, said that her son were rescued by a stranger amongst the chaos.

"I could smell smoke so I ran down the stairs an opened the door, it was just black smoke that hit me in the face," she said.

"I thought 'how are we going to get out?' I closed the door and we wrapped towels around our faces and ran out into the pitch black.

"Then the lights came on and there was a man. He took my son and ran him down the stairs and out onto the road completely out of the way."

After getting clear of the building, the 30-year-old was helped by people living nearby, one woman gave her nappies and wipes while others made cups of tea.

One woman took evacuated children into her home to shelter them at a safe distance.

"We were standing around for about two or three hours but everyone was trying to help each other." she added. "There was a community spirit, everyone chipped in and helped out."

A police cordon remains in place and the whole block of flats has been evacuated.

Officers were seen at the entrance of the property in the wake of last night's fire and a file is being prepared for the coroner.

A spokesman for the force said: "Kent Police was called at 10.32pm on Tuesday to a flat fire in Quarry Square, Maidstone.

"Officers attended and provided assistance to crews from Kent Fire and Rescue Service and South East Coast Ambulance Service.

"A woman in her 60s was pronounced dead at the scene. Her next of kin have been informed and a report is being prepared for the coroner.

"Inquiries into the cause of the fire are ongoing."

Golding Homes, which manages the block of flats, is working with the authorities and has offered those evacuated from the property alternative accommodation in a hotel.

"Our team have been on site today and have reached out to those households who may need alternative accommodation until such time that it is safe to return to their homes," said a spokesperson.

"As the result of this traumatic incident within the community, we shall also be back on site today to talk to all residents to see if any further support is needed that might assist them through this difficult time."