A dramatic rescue is under way after fire tore through the ninth floor of a Kent tower block.
Residents trapped by the blaze were forced onto the roof of the 15-storey block in Ramsgate. They are being rescued by a helicopter from RAF Wattisham.
Others were trapped on the balconies of their flats and were being plucked to safety by firemen using turntable ladders.
More than 100 firefighters, many wearing breathing apparatus, were called to the blaze at Staner Court in Manston Road. No injuries have so far been reported.
A Kent Fire Brigade spokeswoman said: "We have a severe fire on the ninth floor. The people on the roof are in no immediate danger as they are a lot higher than the blaze.
"Others are being rescued from their balconies. We have three turntable ladders at the scene."
Twenty crews from all over Kent were called to the scene reported shortly after 11am. It is understood the blaze has not spread to other floors.
A Thanet Council spokesman it owned the block of flats and was not thought to house any local asylum seekers.
PA