A woman has died after a fire ripped through a ground floor flat at a care home in Gravesend yesterday (January 31).

Firefighters from Thames Side were called to reports of a person trapped in the property in Ifield Way shortly after 2pm.

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Police and Kent Fire and Rescue Service at the scene earlier today

A spokesman for Kent Police confirmed that a woman, in her 60s, died in the blaze.

It is believed that the fire started in a flat on the ground floor of Watling Court - where The Abbeyfield Kent Society looks after the residents who independently own the flats.

Graham Broad, 65, of Valley Drive, said: "I didn't notice it but my son, Matthew, saw it.

"He said there were a lot of fire engines and he saw they were bailing water out the bottom window.

"We saw that building go up - it was nearly all wood construction.

"We said, 'God help if there's a fire up there.'"

Another neighbour, Angela Hills, 57, saw the police when she drove by the care home on the way to care for her father who lives in the accomodation.

She said: "There were two police cars and an ambulance - that was about 9.45pm."

"You never see police there for anything - they're all over 50."

Next of kin have been informed, and there are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances.

A spokeswoman for Kent Fire and Rescue Service said: "We were called at 2.42pm yesterday.

"One person has died.

"Police are looking into the circumstances surrounding the death.

"An investigation is underway.  "We left the scene at 5.02pm.

"Two fire engines were at the scene."

The Abbeyfield Kent Society have been contacted for a comment.