Discarded cigarette thought to have caused fire which ripped through homes in Gravesend

Credit: Tom Williamson

A fire which ripped through a number of houses in Kent is believed to have been started by a discarded cigarette.

Firefighters were called to the garden blaze in Jubilee Crescent in Gravesend at 1:10pm on Sunday afternoon. The blaze then started spreading to neighbouring properties.

At the height of the fire, nine fire engines were in attendance, as well as a height vehicle and the technical rescue team.

Crews wearing breathing apparatus used main jets and hose reel jets to extinguish the flames and stop the fire from spreading further.

One property was destroyed and two others were damaged as a result of the incident. 

Neighbour Lisa Claydon helped the residents affected by taking them and their pets in as the fire broke out said "It was really frightening.

"I was tidying up the garden, and I smelt smoke which I thought was one of the neighbours doing a bonfire.

"I looked out my kitchen window and I saw the flames.

"So I got all the kids from the houses, and got them all in my house so everyone was safe. We put the dogs in a bathroom upstairs and stayed in my house for over an hour.

"It was so scary as it was thick black smoke, and even though I had all my windows shut, we couldn't breathe. All the kids were screaming - it was heartbreaking.

"We kept thinking what if that had happened through the night...the whole cul-de-sac would have gone."

Credit: Dwight Ryan / GTown Talents

Local residents were asked to avoid the area.

Crews worked into the evening to bring the fire under control. No one was injured and the fire is now out.

Posting on Twitter, Kent Fire and Rescue Service said, "Firefighting work was complete at 17.15 on 26 June and all crews had left the scene by around 20.30.

"Duty of care was left with the relevant housing association."

Kent Fire and Rescue say it’s believed the fire started accidentally, after spreading from a discarded cigarette. 

Following the incident, firefighters are now reminding people to always ensure cigarettes, cigars and any other smoking materials, are not left unattended when lit.

They're also urging people to check they are completely out before being properly disposed of. 

A spokesperson from the Clarion housing association said, “We are working hard to support the three households who were worst affected by the fire at Jubilee Crescent.

"We understand how distressing this situation is and we are securing alternative accommodation while we assess the extent of the remedial works required to ensure homes are safe to return to.

"At this stage we cannot give definitive timescales, but we will be keeping our residents regularly updated.

"We are also working to support the wider community and neighbours who have been indirectly affected.”