Residents are calling for answers after a block of flats was evacuated amidst ongoing concerns over fire safety.

Firefighters were called to Hawke House in Cross Street, Chatham , last night, after an electrical box caught fire. The homes were still without power this afternoon.

But the incident is just the latest in a string of worrying developments, which began when social landlord MHS Homes sent a letter to occupants of the 19 flats in the block last month.

Francesca Foster, who has lived there for for two years, said: "We received a letter about six weeks ago saying they had found a fire safety issue, but that was as far as they went.

"They said they were going to put some new measures in place and that they were having a 'waking watch', which consisted of a number of security guards walking around the block 24 hours a day.

"It was quite worrying but we were given no further information.

"Five weeks after the security turned up we had a fire alarm fitted in the communal lobby - and every flat had a box put in that you press to turn the alarm off.

"We don't feel safe in our homes and we still don't know what the fire safety issue is."

"They called it a 'burnt toast' alarm so if it goes off by accident you can hold that down to shut it off.

"Last night at 9.15pm the alarm went off in the whole block. We went out and one of the boards in the lobby had caught fire.

"There was smoke everywhere so the building was evacuated."

Francesca, 30, who works as a data analyst for Medway Hospital, said residents had been led to believe the alarm would notify the fire brigade automatically but they realised something was wrong when they did not turn up.

"We realised no one was coming so I phoned the emergency services. They turned up five minutes later and we asked them if they were aware if the alarm had gone through to them - and they said it hadn't."

And she said efforts to contact MHS homes had been less successful, with little information forthcoming about the fire safety problem, and very little help offered to residents.

"We've been trying to call MHS homes since Friday but no one is answering and we're not able to go to the offices due to coronavirus. An MHS manager came out so another resident brought it up - he said you can get in your car and drive two minutes to the office down the road – but the automated phone service says the office is closed.

"They're doing a terrible job. We've been without power since 9.30pm last night and we've got to throw all our food out.

"There are people with young babies and they've had to go elsewhere.

"We feel quite let down by MHS. We pay money for a service we're not receiving. We don't feel safe in our homes and we still don't know what the fire safety issue is.

"It's scary. It's worrying living here."

"We've not had contact from anyone today. There's three builders here who are doing a great job of trying to fix the problem but it's not their job to answer questions.

"We don't know if the fire safety issue has been there since we moved in - we tried asking but we're not getting answers.

And she added: "It's scary. It's worrying living here."

Kent Fire and Rescue Service confirmed they were called to reports of a fire in Cross Street in Chatham at around 9.23pm.

Two fire engines were sent to the scene and crews extinguished the small fire with a dry powder extinguisher.

No casualties were reported and the cause is believed to be accidental.

"As per our fire safety plan for the building, customers were asked to evacuate their properties whilst safety checks were carried out."

A statement from MHS Homes said: "The safety of our customers is our highest priority, and we invest heavily in our ongoing fire safety programme.

"As part of this programme, earlier this year we upgraded the fire alarm system at Hawke House. We kept customers up to date throughout the process, put temporary safety arrangements in place whilst work was carried out and confirmed with customers when the work was complete.

"Last night a fire alarm at Hawke House activated: in line with our procedures, we immediately alerted KFRS, who then attended site alongside the mhs team.

"As per our fire safety plan for the building, customers were asked to evacuate their properties whilst safety checks were carried out. KFRS confirmed that there was a small electrical fire, which they quickly extinguished, and mhs colleagues arranged for customers to return to their homes whilst we isolated and made safe the electrical fault.

"Overnight and for part of today, the power has been off in the building whilst our colleagues have been on site carrying out investigations and remedial works."

No explanation was provided for the "fire safety issue" mentioned in the letter received by residents.

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