A major emergency response was triggered in Folkestone this afternoon after a serious fire erupted in a residential flat, sending thick plumes of smoke across the area and drawing a massive deployment of emergency services.
Six fire engines and a specialist height vehicle raced to the scene near Grove Road, just off Dover Road, shortly after 1:30pm on Tuesday, where firefighters immediately deployed main jets to battle the raging flames.
As the emergency unfolded, Kent Fire and Rescue crews issued an urgent warning to local residents, workers, and commuters to shut their windows and doors against the choking fumes, while appealing to the public to spread the word to offline loved ones.
However, following a fierce afternoon operation alongside Kent Police and paramedics from the South East Coast Ambulance Service, crews have now successfully brought the dramatic incident under control. The immediate smoke warning for the Grove Road area has officially been lifted, and while five fire engines and the height vehicle remain on-site to damp down the remaining hotspots, firefighters are making excellent progress.
Locals are still asked to share this latest update with anyone in the immediate community who may not have access to the internet.