A 40-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a suspected arson attack on a house in Cliftonville, near Margate, on Sunday night.

Five people were led to safety from the four-storey building at Surrey Road shortly before midnight after fire had broken out in a ground floor flat.

A fire and rescue service spokeswoman said that one man was checked at the scene for the effects of smoke inhalation after trying to fight his way into the building.

Fire crews from the Margate and Thanet station at Broadstairs wore breathing apparatus as they fought their way through the smoke and flames, while a 20ft tall ladder was used as part of the rescue operation.

All those led from thebuilding were taken to the Queen Mother Hospital at Margate for treatment.

Police confirmed this morning that a man from Cliftonville is in custody at Margate Police Station being arrested at 1am on suspicion of suspected arson.

Fire fighters had the blaze under control within an hour of the alarm being raised.