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Eight saved as shop fire spreads Eight saved as shop fire spreads
(about 1 hour later)
Eight people had to be rescued from their flats above a shop in Kent after a fire broke out.Eight people had to be rescued from their flats above a shop in Kent after a fire broke out.
The blaze spread from the Magpie's Nest store, in Palace Street, Canterbury, to two upper floors of the building.The blaze spread from the Magpie's Nest store, in Palace Street, Canterbury, to two upper floors of the building.
The flats' residents were hanging out of windows but they were led to safety down ladders. One person suffered the effects of breathing in smoke.The flats' residents were hanging out of windows but they were led to safety down ladders. One person suffered the effects of breathing in smoke.
Police and fire teams are investigating the cause of the blaze, which is currently being treated as suspicious.Police and fire teams are investigating the cause of the blaze, which is currently being treated as suspicious.
The Magpie's Nest is a gift shop which has been trading in Palace Street for more than 15 years.The Magpie's Nest is a gift shop which has been trading in Palace Street for more than 15 years.
We knew we had to get the people out very quickly John Saynor, Kent Fire and Rescue Service
Owner David Cleavely, who lives outside Canterbury, told the BBC News website he was called about the fire at 0520 GMT on Saturday.Owner David Cleavely, who lives outside Canterbury, told the BBC News website he was called about the fire at 0520 GMT on Saturday.
We knew we had to get the people out very quickly John Saynor, Kent Fire and Rescue Service
He said he and his wife Diane were "naturally very upset".He said he and his wife Diane were "naturally very upset".
Mr Cleavely said the shop had been completely burnt out and their stock of porcelain dolls and collectable teddy bears had been destroyed.Mr Cleavely said the shop had been completely burnt out and their stock of porcelain dolls and collectable teddy bears had been destroyed.
He added that his wife was distraught at losing "her love".He added that his wife was distraught at losing "her love".
"It's been a hobby for her as well as a business," he said."It's been a hobby for her as well as a business," he said.
John Saynor, from Canterbury fire station, said had the flats not had working smoke alarms they "could have been looking at eight fatalities".John Saynor, from Canterbury fire station, said had the flats not had working smoke alarms they "could have been looking at eight fatalities".
Mr Saynor added the occupants, and a rabbit, were all out of the building within seven minutes of fire crews arriving.Mr Saynor added the occupants, and a rabbit, were all out of the building within seven minutes of fire crews arriving.
"We were concerned because there was smoke getting into the upper floors, so we knew we had to get the people out very quickly," he said."We were concerned because there was smoke getting into the upper floors, so we knew we had to get the people out very quickly," he said.
"It was one of the more dramatic rescues I've dealt with because there were so many people to get out in such a short time.""It was one of the more dramatic rescues I've dealt with because there were so many people to get out in such a short time."