Two fires just hours apart at the same block of flats are being treated as arson.

Fire broke out in a first floor flat in Bicknor Road, Park Wood on Monday, October 19 at around 7pm.

It is believed cooking utensils left on a stove sparked the blaze but how that fire started is being treated as suspicious.

Just before 1am another fire broke out in the same flat, which destroyed most of it. That fire is also being treated as arson.

Three fire crews - two from Maidstone and one from Headcorn - were sent to tackle the second blaze.

No one was injured but Maidstone fire crews said around six families were moved out as there were also fears of a gas leak at the block.

After around two hours, many were allowed to return into their homes. One family is still in temporary accommodation.