FOUR men are being questioned by police following a serious fire at a flat in the early hours of this morning (Stuart Somers writes).

The blaze broke out shortly after 2am at Oaktree House, Woodberry Drive, Murston, near Sittingbourne.

Police say the fire started at the bottom of the stairs and that a woman and a man had to jump to safety from an upstairs window.

Police spokeswoman Sally Farrell said: "The man caught two young children when they were thrown to safety by the woman. The two children were aged five and three years, and they and the woman were taken to Medway Maritime Hospital suffering from smoke inhalation. They were not detained.

"They were woken by the sound of their smoke alarm going off and the barking of their dog but sadly the dog died."

She added: "The four men were arrested from various local addresses on suspicion of causing arson with intent to endanger life. They are aged betwen 21 and 37."

Severe damage was caused to the flat. The blaze also spread to the flat upstairs. Next-door neighbour Patricia Corcoran said: "I only know the woman is called Lisa and that she keeps herself to herself."