A man was treated for smoke inhalation this morning after a fire broke out in a flat in Folkestone.

The blaze started when a 27-year-old man returned home from a night out and fell asleep on the sofa, after putting a pan of oil on the hob to heat.

Fire crews from both Folkestone and Dover were called to the second floor flat in Pilgrim Spring at 4.32am to tackle the fire.

Two officers entered the building wearing breathing apparatus and used a hose reel to extinguish the blaze, which destroyed half the kitchen and left the rest of the property smoke damaged.

A positive pressure ventilation fan was also used to clear smoke and fumes from the flat.

The occupant, who had managed to get himself out the building, was given oxygen therapy by crews at the scene before being checked by the ambulance service.

Now, Kent Fire and Rescue Service is asking people not to come home and start cooking if they’ve been out drinking alcohol.

Folkestone Watch Manager Andy Batchelor said: “Fortunately the man was woken by the smell of smoke and the alarm sounding and was able to get out of the property and call us.

“This man had a lucky escape, if he hadn’t woken when he did, the outcome could have been very different.

"If you’re planning a night out drinking, get a takeaway or have a cold snack waiting in the fridge, it’s a far safer option.”

Fire crews were at the flat for approximately an hour and will be returning to deliver home fire safety advice to neighbouring properties later today.