Witnesses say “heroic” emergency crews had to perform CPR on one man as others were told to rush to safety after fire ripped through a block of flats.

Residents were woken by fire crews hammering on their doors telling them to get out as the flames took hold of the flats in The Goodwins, Tunbridge Wells just after midnight on Friday.

Four fire engines raced to the blaze.

One witness, who did not want to be named, said: “I just want to share a huge ‘thank you’ and praise to our fantastic Kent fire and rescue and ambulance service. I witnessed the amazing courageous efforts of these firefighters tackling the blaze and their amazing work and the risk they took.

“They saved an old man by working CPR on him with paramedics for at least 30-40 mins and they didn’t give up until they got his heart beating again.

“For hours these firefighters comforted residents, kept them warm and supplied water and kept communication flowing to the scared and shaken neighbours. Their efforts were nothing short of heroic.”

A security guard was also praised for his help in waking residents.

They saved an old man by working CPR on him with paramedics for at least 30-40 mins and they didn’t give up until they got his heart beating again

The witness added: “He was a true gentleman and his efforts too were heroic. He helped evacuate the building until firefighters arrived and tried desperately to alarm and wake the gentlemen in the flat that was burning.”

Neighbours offered to take in residents who might have been unable to return to their homes.

One person was taken to hospital.

A spokesman for the fire service said: “The cause of the fire is still under investigation but is believed to be accidental.”