FIVE children were among seven residents rescued from a block of flats after a fire started deliberately blocked their only exit.

They became trapped in Temple Hill Square, Dartford, after an arsonist set fire to a storage area on the stairway leading to the flats.

Smoke filled the stairway area, making it impossible for residents to escape.

Firefighters used ladders to rescue a 40-year-old man and two boys, aged 11 and 12.

They used breathing apparatus to help another three children, aged eight, nine and 20 months, and a 32-year-old man from another flat.

They were helped down the stairs once the fire had been extinguished.

Emergency services were called to the scene at 9pm on March 5.

Firefighters received a call from residents telling them where they were in the building.

They gave their location, at the back of the block of flats, by telephone to fire crews via their control room.

Police, ambulance staff and four fire appliances from Dartford and Thames-side attended the scene.

The 11 and 12-year-old boys, who are asthmatic, had to be treated for smoke inhalation at Darent Valley Hospital.

Firefighters say the blaze began at the back of a fish and chip shop, below the flats.

The door to the building was reported as being faulty, leading firefighters to believe this is how the arsonists got into the building.

There was no damage to any of the flats.

Dartford fire station watch manager David Boakes said the fire was under control in 90 minutes.

He added a quick-thinking boy sprang into action when he saw smoke filling up the stairwell.

The boy, who had recently completed fire training at school, put wet towels around the bottom of the front door.

Mr Boakes said: "We were quite pleased with him."

Builder William McGloin, 33, of Temple Hill Square, said: "We looked out of the window and saw the fire brigade taking people out of the window.

"They were knocking on everybody's doors because of the smoke.

"We came out to see what was going on, we were worried about the people inside."

North Kent police are investigating the incident at the flats.

Anyone with information should call 01474 565211.