A family fled their home in the early hours this morning after fire ripped through the property in Canterbury.

The blaze started in a terraced house in Hawe Close on Hales Place estate at around 1am.

It was discovered when the daughter, believed to be about 18 years old, awoke to find her room full of smoke.

She rushed out of her bedroom and could hear the smoke alarms sounding, alerting her mother and brother to the blaze.

Firefighters raced to the scene after reports that occupants could be trapped, but arrived to find the mother, daughter and teenage son had managed to escape.

All three needed treatment for the effects of breathing in smoke.

Four dogs also managed to escape but a pet snake had to be rescued by crews.

Canterbury watch manager Paul Wood said: "We could see a great deal of smoke over the roof line of the property as we approached but fortunately the family had managed to get out safely.

"However, there were concerns that four dogs and a snake were still trapped inside."

Firefighters decided to evacuate the terrace as they fought the blaze for fear of it spreading to the adjoining properties.

"It was one of the most intense house fires we have dealt with..." - Crew manager Mike Godden

Crew manager Mike Godden said: "When we arrived the house was well alight with flames pouring out of the windows.

"We got to work immediately, sending a breathing apparatus crew into the property and training jets on the roof.

"It was one of the most intense house fires we have dealt with for some time and to be honest, it was amazing everyone got out alive."

Paul added: "Residents were evacuated from neighbouring houses and crews did an excellent job, working hard to stop the fire spreading to the rest of terrace.

"We used thermal imaging cameras to check for fire spread in the loft and a positive pressure ventilation fan to help clear smoke from the house."

Neighbour Lee Prior, 30, was woken by the smell of smoke.

He said: "We were asleep and nobody knocked on our door, but we smelled it.

"The fire engine was outside, most people were out of their houses. People came from everywhere.

"It came from the left side of the house, upstairs in the bedroom.

"Her clothes were on fire when she woke up. The fire brigade didn't even knock on our door."

Initially two crews from Canterbury were called but the incident was upgraded and another two appliances were sent to the scene.

The fire is believed to have started in a bedroom but the cause - thought to have been an electrical fault - is still being investigated.

Crew manager Godden said it had caused extensive damage to the property, especially the upper floors and roof.

The first floor was completely destroyed - including a collapsed floor and ceiling - and the rest of the house was badly affected by smoke.

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