POLICE are treating a fire that broke out in a ground floor flat on a housing estate early today as suspicious.

Onlookers gathered as flames tore through a ground floor flat on the Showfields estate at Tunbridge Wells.

It is not thought that the flat was occupied at the time of the blaze which firefighters said caused 75 per cent damage.

Four fire crews from Tunbridge Wells, Rusthall and Tonbridge were called at about 1.20am. Breathing apparatus was used and a height vehicle was operated to illuminate the scene.

Police believe the fire may have been started by arsonists. They are asking anyone with information to telephone West Kent Police on 01732 370732.

One local resident said: “If anyone knows anything they are keeping it to themselves. The police knocked on my door at two in the morning but I hadn’t seen anything."