A neighbour has urged people to consider their actions after a fire in a wheelie bin got out of control and tore through an elderly man's home.

Becky Lavender of Bramble Walk, Tunbridge Wells was one of many people to be evacuated after flames destroyed her next door neighbour's bungalow yesterday evening.

The blaze, which investigators think started when a wheelie bin was set alight, forced people out of their homes and into a nearby car park while fire crews worked to put it out.

One home belonging to an elderly man was ruined and Miss Lavender's home was left filled with smoke.

The pre school manager said: "It was started right above a gas line for the houses so firefighters had to evacuate everyone.

"You could smell the gas, where there was a leak.

"I was at work at the time, but my partner and my other neighbour helped the elderly man out.

"He was asleep at the time and luckily the alarm was raised and he wasn't hurt.

"He has lost everything because of this and nobody deserves that, it makes me so cross.

"I want the people who did this prosecuted for what they have done to him.

"Youths need to think about what they are doing."

Police have arrested an 18-year-old man from Sidcup in connection with the incident.

The 30-year-old added: "We are gutted, we just had a new bathroom put in and our bedroom re-decorated and now everything is covered in soot.

"It just absolutely stinks in the house, it's not very nice.

"The firemen were really good and opened all of the windows to vent it out as quickly as possible.

"We are just more worried for our elderly neighbour, he has been moved into emergency accommodation.

"Please, please, please ring the police if you know anything or have any information."

A police spokesman said: "Police were called to Bramble Walk, Tunbridge Wells at 4.57pm on Monday following a report of a fire.

"The area had to be evacuated.

"An 18-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the incident, he is currently in custody."

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