Firefighters broke into a smoke-filled flat in Sittingbourne and found an unconscious man on fire in his armchair.

Sittingbourne crews were called to Wheatcroft Close, Murston, at 3.48pm on Tuesday after neighbours reported smoke billowing from a first floor flat window at Price's Court.

Two firefighters wearing breathing apparatus scaled a ladder and ripped out a window to gain access.

They found an elderly man dressed in a blazing towelling bathrobe in an armchair.

The firefighters sprayed water to kill the flames and then rolled the victim into a bed quilt before carrying him out of the flat to a waiting ambulance.

Watch manager Mark Innes, said: "It was a very serious incident and the crew worked extremely hard and fast to rescue the man.

"From the time of the call to the ambulance leaving the scene was just six minutes.

"Their actions undoubtedly saved his life; a couple of minutes later, he would not have come round."

The flat is in a block run by Carr Gomm, a charity which offers housing and support services to vulnerable people with a range of special needs.

The 64-year-old man suffered serious burns to his abdomen, thighs and arms and smoke inhalation and was taken to Medway Maritime Hospital, Gillingham.

Mr Innes said: "The man became conscious as he was being removed from the building. We believe he fell asleep while smoking a cigarette."

A fire alarm was fitted and functioning in the flat, but failed to wake the victim.