Flames ripped through a third floor flat in Tunbridge Wells, leaving a man needing treatment for smoke inhalation.

When firefighters arrived at the building in York Road yesterday afternoon the kitchen was already well alight, a Kent Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said.

Crews arrived at the four-storey block of flats at 12.45pm and the flames were out an hour later.

The spokesman said: "On arrival, crews were faced with a kitchen well alight and used a hose reel jet and breathing apparatus to tackle the fire.

"They also used a ventilation fan to clear smoke. Crews administered oxygen to a man who was suffering the effects of breathing in smoke."