A man is thought to have broken his legs after leaping from the top floor of a burning home following an arson attack this morning.

Firefighters were called to the mid-terrace house in Luton Road, Chatham, at about 1.30am after the fire was discovered in a stairwell of the multiple-occupancy home.

There property consists a basement flat, a flat on the ground floor and another on the top floor but at the back of the building is higher than the front.

Crews from Medway, Strood and other parts of the county were called out to tackle the flames and used breathing apparatus to enter the building.

The fire had broken out on the ground floor and crews had to climb flights of stairs to rescue a man trapped in his flat on the top floor.

Crews said he had suffered from some smoke inhalation and firefighters gave him first aid until paramedics could tend to him.

Another man trapped, who lived on the top floor of the home, is thought to have suffered serious injuries to his legs after jumping out of the window into the back garden of the property.

The man, who has not been named but is in his 30s, was also treated by firefighters until he could be taken to hospital in an ambulance.

It is understood he may have broken his legs during the fall.

After getting everyone out of the property the crews continued to fight the flames and were able to stop them spreading to neighbouring loft spaces.

Once out the crews used a ventilation fan to clear the home of smoke.

Fire investigators met police at the site later in the morning to determine the cause of the fire, which is said to be suspicious.

A police spokesman said: "The investigation continues and no arrests have yet been made.

“The man who jumped was taken to Medway Maritime Hospital with significant leg injuries."

Detectives investigating the fire are appealing for witnesses and say there were a lot of people outside in the street taking photos of the it.

The spokesman added: "If anyone saw or took footage or pictures of the moments before the fire broke out and of the fire itself and they are happy to share it with officers, I'd urge them to contact us."

If you have any information call 01634 792209.