Residents 'lost everything' in flats fire

Two fire crews remained at the scene on Monday

Some of the residents who were evacuated after a major fire at a block of flats have "lost everything", according to a council leader.

More than 40 flats were evacuated after the blaze broke out at Conqueror House in Crabble Hill, Dover, at about 01:10 BST on Sunday, according to Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS).

Dover District Council leader Kevin Mills said: "The important thing is now to get some sort of stability back into people's lives."

KFRS said on Monday morning the fire was extinguished but two engines remained at the scene "to check for any remaining hotspots and to maintain a watching brief".

An investigation will take place but the cause of the fire has "not yet been determined", it continued.

The fire service said it sent 12 fire engines and two height vehicles at the peak of the blaze.

Two people were checked over by paramedics for smoke inhalation.

Members of the McLeod family came on Monday to see what they could retrieve for their relatives who had been forced to leave their homes.

Brendan McLeod said: "Grandad's a big fellow so they had to get him down the stairs. He didn't want to leave.

"Nan's really shaken up, still a bit confused that anything's gone on.

"Basically, their whole life is in there."

Fire crews began evacuating the 42 flats on arrival at the blaze on Crabble Hill

Dover District Council set up an emergency centre at its offices in the early hours of Sunday where the Salvation Army and Red Cross provided food and water.

The property's landlord, Town and Country Housing, said it was arranging week-long hotel stays for all those who needed immediate help.

It said it would meet with all residents from Tuesday to explore short and medium-term housing options, but stressed it was impossible to say when residents would be able to return to their homes.