A FAMILY was dramatically rescued from the balcony of a blazing home by a neighbour in Tonbridge early today.

Two boys, aged four and 10, were passed to safety by a neighbour from the first floor balcony of their home on Hectorage Road shortly before 7am.

Fire crews from Tonbridge were called to the scene but before they arrived neighbour Frank Homewood stood on a dustbin and smashed a window to reach the two boys and pass them to people on the ground.

Upon their arrival, firefighters used ladders to rescue Mr Homewood and woman from the balcony.

Crews confirmed that there were no other people in the house, but had to rescue the family cat who was revived with oxygen.

A spokesman for the fire and rescue services said: “The fire very nearly claimed the lives of an adult woman and two children. The quick thinking actions of the neighbour saved the occupants.”

No smoke alarms had been fitted in the house, and the ground floor fire is believed to have been caused by a tumble dryer in the kitchen.

A Red Cross vehicle also attended the scene to offer extra support to the residents of the house once they had been evacuated.