Firefighters have issued a warning after tackling a chimney fire in Deal yesterday.

The crew were called to Redsull Avenue at 5pm to put out the blaze that had started in one of the chimneys.

Due to difficult access, the firefighters used a roof ladder to put the fire out from above using a hose reel jet.

They were on the scene for 45 minutes.

Firefighter Ollie Walters said: "We gave advice to the owners of the importance of getting the chimney swept and not to use the fire again until it had been swept."

Mr Walters said the chimney had not been cleared out in 13 years.

He said: "It's important to get your chimney swept once a year. Basically you get a build up of residue over months and years, this build up of unburnt particles further up the chimney breast if not properly swept, can cause a lot of heat and could lead to a fire.

"Burning untreated wood with no varnish is also important, not just for the affect on the environment but all the unwanted particles will build up in your chimney."

Crew manager Shane Giblin was in charge of the incident and also fitted the property with two smoke alarms.