80 OAPs flee blaze at flats as man killed
MORE than 80 pensioners were evacuated yesterday as a man died in a blaze at a block of flats for the elderly and infirm.
Five residents had to be brought out by firefighters and nine were taken to hospital following the “major incident” at sheltered accommodation in Dartford, Kent.
Nine ambulances, eight fire engines, police and an air ambulance were called to the flats around 8am.
The man who died was in his 70s and lived in a top-floor flat where the fire started. Other residents were treated for the effects of inhaling smoke.
Fire crews wearing breathing gear put out the flames and later police were probing the cause of the blaze, which is not thought to be suspicious.