A family of four had to flee their home when a chip pan fire got dangerously out of control.

The blaze broke out in Holmsdale Hill, South Darenth, just after 6pm last night.

Two adults and two children ran from their home uninjured when they failed to extinguish a blazing chip pan, and called 999.

Around 10 firefighters using breathing apparatus tackled the fire and had it quashed within half an hour.

The property was severely smoke damaged and the crew needed to use a positive pressure ventilation fan to clear smoke.