by Rachel Hovenden

rhovenden@thekmgroup.co.uk

A couple woke up their neighbour after arsonists set light to a sofa outside his house.

The incident happened around 11.50pm last night when the pair woke to hear their fire alarm going off and smoke coming in through an open window.

The woman dialled 999 while her partner's shouts woke their 18-year-old neighbour.

The man used a fire extinguisher and a hose pipe from his garden to lessen the fire until two crews from Thames-side station arrived.

Eight fire fighters tackled the blaze outside the terraced house in Railway Street, Northfleet.

Blue watch crew manager, David Spittle, said: "The woman told me that she thought next door was actually alight at first.

"We were there for 45 minutes. The neighbours did exactly the right thing and were brilliant.

"We fitted smoke alarms in the man's property before we left.

"The sofa was completely destroyed.

"There was damage to the ground floor window - it had smashed.

"There was smoke damage in both properties as they had their windows open because of the warm weather.

"We used a fan to clear the smoke in the man's property."

Police are investigating the blaze, which is being treated as suspicious.

Call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 if you have information.

For the full story - and pictures - buy Thursday's Gravesend Messenger.