Fire crews and gas engineers were called to Lorne Road, Dover, early on Friday after burning rubbish set fire to a gas main.

The alarm was raised at 3am when rubbish was reported to be on fire in the front garden of one of the houses.

The flames melted the gas meter box on the outside of the house and set fire to the gas. Window frames were burnt and windows broken.

Neighbours were unable to get out of their home because of the flames, so retreated to the back of their house for safety while fire-fighters tackled the blaze.

Gas engineers were then called in to repair the damage to the main.

The cause of the fire is being investigated.