Householders are being warned not to dry their clothes near potential sources of fire after a house blaze broke out.

Washing left near a cooker caught light and started to smoulder at a property in Brookfield Road, Ashford.

A small fire broke out and the woman occupant suffered smoke inhalation.

The blaze happened at about 4.30am on Wednesday morning and two pumps were called out from Ashford Fire Station.

Firefighters quickly put out the blaze and gave the victim oxygen.

Ashford watch manager Mark Thomas said; “This was a small fire but it could have been worse.

"Sometimes residents are tempted to use the kitchen as a means of drying their washing.

"In this instance it appears that linen had fallen near the cooker and the kettle and an accident was waiting to happen."

The victim was also treated by an ambulance crew but did not need to be taken to hospital.