A man has been rescued and taken to hospital after a kitchen fire in Margate this afternoon sparked fears of a gas explosion.

Firefighters were called to a flat in Eastern Esplanade at about 12.40pm.

Crews used a hose reel jet to tackle the blaze, in a property near the Devonshire Gardens junction.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service said a man was rescued and taken to hospital by ambulance.

Witnesses reported hearing a "large boom" at the time of the blaze amid fears of a gas explosion.

A Southern Gas Networks van was spotted outside the property this afternoon.

However, KFRS said this was called to the scene as a precaution and the cause of the fire is being investigated.

Two fire crews were at the scene for almost an hour.

An air ambulance also landed nearby, but it is unclear if the man was airlifted or taken to hosptial by land ambulance.