A family had a lucky escape after an electrical fault sparked a fire in a fuse box under the stairs in their home.

Firefighters were called out to a house in Spring Vale South, Dartford, shortly after 10pm last night after the family smelt smoke as they were heading for bed.

They were able to get out of the property before the blaze took hold and when firefighters arrived on the scene, they discovered the fuse box had blown up and caught alight.

The crew from Dartford Fire Station put the fire out but the small explosion had broken a water pipe which helped dampen the flames.

A spokesman for Kent Fire and Rescue Service, said: “The family had smelt smoke as they were going to bed.

“It was lucky as they never had a smoke alarm.

“We had to wait for the electrical company to come and turn off the supply.

“There was a small fire under the stairs and we fitted smoke alarms before we left.”