A young girl has died in a severe house fire that occurred in Hamstreet, Kent. Firefighters were called to the semi-detached property on White Admiral Way shortly after midday on Sunday. Despite the efforts of neighbors who attempted a rescue, the intensity of the flames prevented them from reaching the children inside.
Upon arrival, emergency crews found the entire property engulfed in flames, which had spread rapidly from the ground floor. Six fire engines and a height vehicle were deployed to combat the "intense fire." One child was confirmed deceased at the scene, and a teenage boy was rescued from the house and taken to the hospital for treatment.
Residents in the vicinity were advised to close their windows and doors due to the heavy smoke. The devastation was visible from the street, with blown-out ground floor windows and deflated Christmas decorations in the garden. A witness described the fire starting downstairs and spreading with alarming speed, making any rescue attempt by neighbors impossible.
Kent Fire and Rescue Service extended their condolences to the child's loved ones and established a welfare hub at Hamstreet Village Hall for community support. An investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing, with Kent Police assisting fire crews and managing road closures.