FIREFIGHTERS had to smash down a door to let a group of people out of a burning public house early today.

Crews from Maidstone, Larkfield, Borough Green and Medway were called out to The Fountain Inn in Tonbridge Road, Barming, near Maidstone, at around 3.45am.

An upstairs bedroom had caught light due to a suspected electrical fault and four people in the building, three women and one man, were unable to escape.

A couple who manage the pub and their daughters, who are in their 20s, could not find the door keys because of the amount of thick black smoke inside the building.

When firefighters arrived they had to break the door to get them out before the smoke caused them physical harm.

Lead Firefighter Ian Taylor, from Maidstone’s Red Watch, said: “When we got there people were standing at the door but couldn’t get out so we smashed it with a big hammer. The place was seriously smoke-logged and the fire was severe in that bedroom.”

Pub franchisee Jennifer Ellis was not in the building at the time, but says that she is very relieved the family made it to safety.

“My main concern was for my managers because they couldn’t get out. I assume it will cost a fair bit to repair the damage but I am not concerned about that, as long as the family is okay,” she said.

Maidstone’s breathing apparatus crew firefighters Richard Knott and Simon Hamm went into the building to deal with the smoke.

Ian Taylor said: “They did a marvellous job of saving the building.”

The crews were there for nearly two hours. The family was treated for smoke inhalation on site but nobody was seriously hurt.

Miss Ellis says that she does not know how extensive the damage is yet or if it will affect her business, but she is considering keeping the pub closed until the repairs are completed.