A teenager’s bedroom caught fire when a curtain blown by wind reached a candle flame.

The fire travelled up the curtain but he got out of his room, slammed the door shut and rammed a towel under it to stop smoke creeping out.

The quick-thinking 17-year-old then got out of the house and dialled 999.

Ashford firefighter Nathan Pavey said: “The lad probably saved the rest of the house. The flames had travelled to the top of the curtain and started to spread.’’

Two fire engines from the Ashford station were called to the fire at Great Fishers, Singleton, at 12.15pm today.

Firefighters say the youngster, who had been alone at home, had been studying or carrying out paperwork when he briefly left his bedroom.

A gust of wind from the open window suddenly pushed one of the curtains towards a nearby candle and the material caught light.

When the teenager went back to his room and discovered the fire he slammed the door shut, placed the towel under the door and got out of the property.

The bedroom was 100% smoke damaged and 15 to 20% fire damaged.

The flames had spread to the second curtain, the mattress, carpeting and an unplugged printer.

Firefighter Pavey said: “We would advise people to take care where they place candles.”

The Kent Fire and Rescue Service website warns people not to leave candles close to curtains, bedding or clothing, not to leave them on window sills or on the floor or anywhere they may be knocked over.

For further details see http://www.kent.fire-uk.org under the home safety section.