A hero who saved lives by getting families out of a burning block of flats was savagely attacked and robbed just hours afterwards.

Mel, as he is known locally, had been fishing on Sun Pier, Chatham, on Saturday night when he spotted smoke billowing from the waterfront apartments and dialled 999.

Despite being warned by the fire brigade not to go near the Empire Reach building, Mel rushed inside, jumping over balconies, banging on doors and yelling for people to get out.

The modest 43-year-old handyman, said: "They said they would be there in three to four minutes, but I thought there may not have that much time before it spreads and lives were in danger."

Mel got in through a side door and hammered on the doors of the four-storey building raising the alarm to residents who included residents with young children.

By the time he got to the top floors, the smoke was so black and acrid he couldn't see and, being an asthma sufferer, he was having difficulty breathing.

He said: "I was crawling on my hands and knees in pitch black. When I reached the top, I told them to stay indoors and go outside on the balcony if they could as it would have been too dangerous in the smoke to climb down and the heat was intense."

By the time he got back down the flights of stairs he had been sick and was given oxygen by paramedics for smoke inhalation

Sadly, a dog died in the fire which broke out in a ground floor property at about 7pm.

Still recovering from the ordeal Mel, went to the nearby Poco Loco Mexican restaurant where he has worked for four years, between 8.30pm and 9pm. He left at about 9.30pm to get a can of cold drink from the Premier grocery store a few doors away.

Jody Carrington, restaurant manager, said : "The next thing we heard was he had woken up in hospital. He had been severely beaten and all his clothes, phone and money stolen. They had stamped on his head and kicked his body.One minute he's saving lives and the next, quite frankly, he's lucky to be alive. He doesn't remember anything."

Ms Carrington added: "I can't believe it. He was a hero on Saturday and then this happened. If you know Mel, you'd know he wouldn't hurt anyone, so this is a completely unprovoked, sickening attack and we are heartbroken for him. They took his coat, trainers, money and phone. What the hell is wrong with people?"

Ms Carrington has started a GoFundMe page called Mel's New Coat to replace some of the items taken from him which she has since closed after quickly exceeding te £300 target.

She said: "He had just spent his wages on the coat to go fishing. They also took two other coats he was wearing to keep dry and warm.

She said : "He'd kill me for doing this but I don't have enough to help him on my own right now. In my eyes he is a hero and this is so wrong. He saved lives that night and then hours later he's left for dead.

She has appealed to anyone who may have seen Mel after 9.30pm to contact her or the police.

She said: "If we can do anything to catch those who did these wicked things, that would be amazing."

Crews in four fire engines were called to deal with the fire and fans were used to clear smoke.

An electrical fault is believed to have caused the blaze. Firefighters left at 9pm.

Mel was discharged from Medway Maritime Hospital early Sunday morning after being treated for severe bruising, a cut lip and black eye.

He said: "I suffer from anxiety and it has put me off going to the shops alone."

In regard to the running in to the burning block he said: "I'd do the same again, without a doubt."

A grandmother, who suffers from lung disease, was among those whom Mel alerted.

The 54-year-old, who only wished to be named as Marie, said: "We would have all been dead if it weren't for Mel.

"I kept thinking of the Grenfell tragedy.

"He is a true hero and what happened to him is disgusting. If it hadn't been for him, we may have not even known about the fire.

"I was treated in an ambulance outside and so was a little girl, aged about 18 months. Her family only moved here a week ago.

"That man definitely saved lives that night."

Police spokesman James Walker said the force is investigating the attack.

Inquiries to establish the full circumstances are ongoing and anyone who witnessed anything suspicious in the Sun Pier area on the afternoon, or evening, of 24 October can call Kent Police on 01634 792209 quoting 46/191055/20.

Alternatively you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers in Kent anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Read more: All the latest news from Medway