A family-of-five were given emotional support from the Red Cross after fire ripped through their home.

Firefighters were called to Vauxhall Crescent, Canterbury, just after 6.30pm. Four fire engines were sent to the property with the first arriving just minutes after the 999 call.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used a hose reel to tackle the blaze and a thermal imaging camera to check for hot spots and to make sure the fire did not spread to neighbouring properties.

The incident was reduced to three fire engines at 7.20pm and a Red Cross vehicle requested to provide practical and emotional support for the family of two adults and three children.

Crews extinguished the blaze shortly after 8pm.

It destroyed the bedroom and caused 50 per cent damage to the first floor of the property.

Firefighters handed the family over to be looked after by a city council housing officer and the Red Cross.

The cause of the fire is not yet known but is being investigated.