Three people have been taken to hospital after a house fire where neighbours say they were woken by screams.

Part of the street in Swanscombe was cordoned off after a blaze took hold at a home.

Officers and firefighters were called to an address in Church Road, opposite the Old Fire Station Community Cafe, at around 5.30am and three people were later taken to hospital with injuries.

One witness, who lives nearby, said: “I was woken up this morning to a woman screaming, so I got up went downstairs and looked out the window to see fire engines, an ambulance and police arrive.

“I walked down to the shops and on the way back asked the police who were outside if everyone was okay.”

A staff member at Swanscombe Dry Cleaners said they saw the police cordon in place when they arrived at 7am this morning.

She added: “There was people here, there and everywhere. It looks like a fire came from the top window.”

A police spokesman said: “Kent Police was called to a disturbance at a property in Church Road, Swanscombe, at 5.30am on Wednesday.

“Officers attended along with South East Coast Ambulance Service and a fire at the scene was extinguished by Kent Fire and Rescue Service.

“Three people had sustained injuries and were taken to hospital for treatment.

“Inquiries to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident are ongoing and officers remain at the scene.”

A fire service spokesman added: “Two fire engines attended and crews, wearing breathing apparatus, extinguished the flames.

“Three people were taken to hospital and the cause of the fire is not yet known.”