A second man has been arrested after a father-of-three died in a house fire.

Despite the efforts of paramedics and fire crews, 48-year-old Kaspars Ajuts died on the doorstep of the Maidstone town centre property.

His wife and were both taken to hospital with injuries from the fire, but have since been released. Another man, believed to be a family friend, escaped unscathed.

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Police officers were called to the scene in Marsham Street at 5.29pm on Sunday, February 26.

Earlier this week, neighbour Karen Hickman told how she witnessed her neighbour die on the doorstep of the mid-terraced Marsham Street house.

The 57-year-old was at home with her daughter and 18-month-old granddaughter when smoke started billowing into the property.

She went to knock on the family’s door and was greeted by a man with frazzled hair and burns on his arm who told her his father was in an upstairs bedroom.

VIDEO: Footage taken at the scene

She said: “He came out followed by his mum and a third man, who I think is a friend, and was covered from head to toe in soot — he looked like a chimney sweep.

“Fire crews had to break the door and drag the man who died out of the house, he was quite a big chap.

“A fireman came in to our house and said it was safe to stay there. It’s sad enough as it is, but it doesn’t bear thinking about what might have happened if it had happened at night.”

Investigations units remained at the property for much of Monday and a police spokesman said inquiries were still being carried out to establish the cause of the fire.

Two men, aged 30 and 38, and both from Maidstone, have been arrested on suspicion of murder and arson and have been bailed until Wednesday, April 19.

A report of Mr Ajuts’ death has been passed to the coroner and a post mortem examination is being carried out.

Anyone with information is asked to call 01622 604100, quoting reference 26-0976 or Kent Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.