Firefighters tested their skills and knowledge when they carried out a huge operation at one of Medway’s tallest tower blocks.

The safety exercise was carried out by crews at Melville Court in Brompton, which is managed by Medway’s largest landlord, mhs homes.

Fire engines and crews arrived at the flats at about 6.30pm on the night it happened and spent about three hours there.

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The training was staged as part of Kent Fire and Rescue’s (KFRS) ongoing familiarisation and reassurance programme for high-rise properties.

In the immediate aftermath of wake of the Grenfell Tower fire disaster earlier this year, crews also carried out more concentrated work at tower blocks in the area.

This was done to reassure people living in them they were safe.

This exercise at Melville Court was an opportunity for firefighters to refamiliarise themselves with the layout of the building.

They also tested their skills, equipment and procedures for dealing with a fire in a building of this type.

The event was organised with staff from mhs homes who were also on site.

Rochester watch manager Mike Robins said: “It was a very successful exercise with some excellent learning points.

“Such exercises also help us to forge closer working relationships with partner agencies and those responsible for fire safety in this type of accommodation.

“We would like to reassure residents that fires in high-rise premises very rare, and we would advise occupants to make sure they know the fire safety and evacuations plans for their specific building.

“Contact the building manager or responsible person for your building for further information and advice.”

Andy Bircher, assistant director of customer services at mhs homes said: “We were pleased to work with KFRS so they could carry out this routine training exercise and together, we tried to make sure all our customers knew it was happening.

“I’m glad the exercise went well.”

For more information about fire safety advice can be also found on the KFRS website, visit www.kent.fire-uk.org.