Neighbours desperately tried to put out Ashford house fire

Neighbours desperately tried to put out a house fire in Ashford that killed a child – but were ‘beaten back’ by the blaze.

Those living near to the semi-detached home in Kent rushed to the scene in a bid to extinguish the ferocious flames as they tore through the property just after midday on Sunday.

Another child and an adult remain in hospital following the fire which brought chaos to the sleepy village on Christmas weekend.

Firefighters arrived on the scene to tackle the blaze, with three rushed to hospital after suffering injuries, before being released later.

The windows on the ground floor were completely blown out in the fire as Christmas decorations lay deflated in the home’s front garden.

Six fire engines and a height vehicle were deployed to the property, where crews worked to extinguish the fire, which had spread quickly. 

A probe into what caused the inferno continues, and photos of the scene show the charred remains of a home.

Neighbours said they tried to rush into the house to help out but the blaze was too strong.

One told Metro: ‘It started downstairs and spread really quickly.

‘There was nothing we could do at that point.

‘It was really bad. We were all beaten back.’

Ann Millington, chief executive of Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS), said on Sunday night: ‘Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with everyone affected by this tragic incident, especially the child’s loved ones.

‘We understand this will be a distressing time for the local community and support is available at a welfare hub set up at Hamstreet Village Hall.’

A KFRS statement said: ‘Kent Fire and Rescue Service was called today to reports of a house fire in White Admiral Way, in Hamstreet, Ashford.

‘Control operators sent six fire engines and a height vehicle to the semi-detached property, where crews worked hard to extinguish an intense fire, which had spread throughout the home.

‘Sadly, one child died at the scene, and another has been taken to hospital.

‘People living or travelling near the Hamstreet area are no longer being advised to close windows and doors. The incident has been reduced to two fire engines and crews are continuing to dampen down.

‘Our Volunteer Response Team are in attendance offering crew welfare and support.’

A later statement added that fire crews were ‘continuing to dampen down hotspots at the scene’. 

A Kent Police spokesperson said: ‘Kent Police was called at 12.22pm on Sunday 28 December 2025 to reports of a fire at a house on White Admiral Way in Hamstreet.

‘Officers attended the scene and assisted Kent Fire and Rescue crews with closure of the road whilst they extinguished the fire.’