Residents fled a block of flats when a man accidentally set his motorbike alight on a balcony.

Firefighters were called to Kings Road in Luton at about 5.15pm on Monday, to reports of a motorbike alight on the first floor of a block of flats.

Around thirty people were safely out of the building by the time crews arrived and the fire was contained, having caused some damage to the front door of the owner's flat.

Watch manager Jim Ramsden, from Medway Fire Station, said the the owner - a young man - explained he'd tried to start the mini bike when it was leaking petrol.

"It was alight when we arrived," he said. "Residents had been using a garden hose to extinguish it. We finished extinguishing it and cooled the area down."

He said it was not a good idea to start a motorbike, or any vehicle, while it was leaking petrol, adding: "If you can smell petrol it's best to avoid starting a vehicle."

Crews from Strood were also mobilised, due the large number of calls from people who saw flames and smoke coming from the flats.

The bike was said to be a write off.