Efforts under way to rehome residents after fire

Efforts are under way to find longer term accommodation for the residents of a block of flats in Kent who were evacuated after a large fire.

The blaze, at Conqueror House in Crabble Hill, Dover, started in the early hours of Sunday and 42 families were forced to leave their homes.

Resident Wioletta Gawin said: "We lost everything. I can't keep working. I can't do anything."

The building's owners, Town & Country Housing, said it would work "individually with each resident... to provide some stability".

Lisa Bones has been moved to a hotel in Whitfield.

She told BBC Radio Kent: "It was pretty scary. We woke up to flames hitting our bedroom window.

"I'm just grateful that we got everybody out."

The fire was so severe that there is little prospect of anyone being able to return anytime soon, according to the building's owners Town & Country Housing.

For now, people are being housed in local hotels.

The company said it had begun contacting residents aiming to provide longer term housing solutions.

Colin Lissenden, managing director, said: "Hotels are not a long-term solution.

"We will work individually with each resident to understand their needs and provide some stability."

Meanwhile, local people in Dover have been rallying around, offering clothes and supplies to those affected.

Jackie McGarry, from Dover Working Men's Club helped co-ordinate the community response to provide help for the evacuated.

She said: "This just shows, as a community, what can happen with the people of Dover."

Meanwhile, Kent Fire & Rescue Service's investigation is continuing.

The cause of the blaze is currently unknown.

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