by Sam Lennon

slennon@thekmgroup.co.uk

Two neighbours rescued a wheelchair-bound elderly woman after her bungalow caught fire.

The men were alerted by calls for help from her husband who rushed out into the street in Chilham to summon assistance.

They dashed into the property and took the woman to the safety of a neighbouring house.

The drama happened at Stone Stile Road just before 6pm on Thursday evening.

Fire brigade watch manager Wayne Burney said: "The couple were sitting down eating their evening meal in the lounge when the man noticed smoke coming from the kitchen."

The neighbours also dialled 999 and tried out put out the fire using a dry powder extinguisher.

Two fire engines turned up, one from Ashford and one from Faversham, and crews wearing breathing apparatus extinguished the fire using a hose reel.

They then cleared the property of smoke and fumes, using a pressure ventilator fan. Thermal imaging cameras were then used to check for hotspots.

Fire crews administered oxygen to the woman, who suffered smoke inhalation, before she and her husband were taken to hospital by ambulance.

Mr Burney, based at Faversham, said: "It is believed the husband had accidentally left the heat turned on under the chip pan, which ignited and caught alight.

"Fortunately, due to the time of day, neighbours heard his calls for help and rushed to his aid.

"Had this fire broken out earlier in the day when people were at work, or overnight, they might not have had such a lucky escape and there were no working smoke alarms in their home.

"We acknowledge the bravery and selfless actions of the neighbours who should be highly commended."

But Mr Burney added that the incident highlighted the importance of fitting and maintaining smoke alarms.