A blaze that severely damaged six homes is believed to have started accidentally.

Firefighters spent eight hours tackling the flames in Rose Street, Northfleet, which caused a roof collapse on Monday night (August 21).

Smoke could be seen billowing across the town after the blaze broke out in the block of terraced houses and five out of six roofs were severely damaged.

Rosemarie Read was one of the people whose homes caught alight. She said she was standing in her kitchen when she first saw smoke come past the window and thought someone was having a barbecue.

Speaking on Tuesday, she said: “I opened the door and there was so much smoke so I slammed the door shut.”

The 68-year-old added. “I shouted to my son who looked out the window and told us all to get out of the house as something was on fire.

“I came out and it was thick with smoke. We could not see crossing the road. It just took hold.

“As the fire crew managed to calm one of the houses down and move to the next, it would start again in the first. It was just reigniting and reigniting. It was very frightening.

“I went back inside this morning with the firefighters to get my phone. To say the least, nothing is salvageable. I have lost it all, precious photos, my son has lost all his stuff. It is just so disheartening.”

Mary Williams was another resident whose house was severely damaged. A firefighter ran into her home to retrieve her husband’s ashes for her as it was the only thing she wanted to save.

The 75-year-old explained how a neighbour rushed to her door and told her about the blaze – but she did not believe them.

“I came out and I looked up and thought ‘Oh my god’. One of the neighbours came rushing in, got the cat and dragged me out, basically.

“The cats are fine which is the main thing and my daughter’s fine and that is what matters at the end of the day.”

A GoFundMe page has been set up to raise money for Mary and her daughter Vicky to help them replace their belongings. You can donate here.

People can also drop donations off at The Rose pub to help the other families who have also “lost everything”.

At the height of the fire, 10 engines, a height vehicle, and a command support unit were at the scene. The flames were out by 1am but crews did not leave until 2.50pm on Tuesday (August 22).

The cause is now believed to be accidental, but investigations are still ongoing.

No injuries were reported.