Firefighters rescued a woman who was trapped in her flat after a fire broke out in the staircase below.

Emergency services were called to Beecholme Drive in Kennington at around 7.30pm last night after the blaze in the building's common staircase.

Crews wearing special breathing equipment forced their way into the house and led the woman to safety.

Witnesses say there were two fire engines and a cherry picker at the scene, along with police and ambulances after smoke was seen billowing through windows.

The woman was treated for smoke inhalation by the fire crews before being passed into the care of paramedics.

A Kent Fire and Rescue spokesman said the fire had caused severe smoke logging to the first floor, and said the cause of is now being investigated.

A police spokesman said they were working with fire crews to establish a cause.