Firefighters in Dover have reminded people to have their chimneys swept regularly after a blaze last night (Wednesday).

A man had lit an open fire, and when smoke started billowing through the house, he called Kent Fire and Rescue Services.

A crew attended at 6.51pm and tackled the flames from inside with a chimney rod. Other firefighters climbed on to the roof to hose the flames from above.

They stayed at the property for one hour until it was safe.

A spokesman said the occupier had recently had his chimney swept, but he refreshed the reminder for other residents to get them swept once a year for coal fires and every six months if wood fuel is used.