A man arrested on suspicion of arson after firefighters carried out a rescue from a blazing house has been set free.

An unnamed man was pulled from the flames when he became trapped in a mid-terraced home in Lower Stoke on Wednesday night.

An investigation was launched and a 45-year-old was arrested, however he has now been released without charge.

A Kent Police spokesman said: "The man that was arrested has been released without charge.

"Fire invetsigators have looked at the scene and are unable to say whether it started deliberately or accidentally.

"There was no smell of evidence of accelerants and it is thought to have been started by a cigarette that ste fire to the lounge carpet."

Twenty-six firefighters in four engines and specialist support vehicles were called to the Mallard Way property just after 7pm.

Around 20 properties in the street had to be evacuated as thick black smoke billowed from the house.

The man was treated for smoke inhalation by crews at the scene before being taken to hospital by paramedics.