Two men were taken to hospital - one with life-threatening injuries - after being rescued from a burning building in Margate.

Firefighters were called to the scene in Zion Place, just off the seafront, shortly after 1.30pm Sunday. There were reports people were trapped inside the building, which is being converted into houses.

A spokesman for Kent Fire and Rescue said a member of the public used a ladder to rescue one man from the first floor. Firefighters rescued a second man from the ground floor of the premises.

Both men were taken to hospital, one with injuries described as life-threatening and the other with minor injuries.

The spokesman added: "The ground floor of the building was severely damaged by fire and the remainder sustained smoke damage."

An investigation into the cause of the blaze is under way and the Health and Safety Executive have been informed.