A family's home has been severely damaged by a fire this evening in Herne Bay.

Five fire engines got to the house in Stanley Gardens just before 6pm, where crews doused the flames with water jets before putting on breathing gear to enter the two storey property.

An eyewitness said crews smashed the top windows of the house so they could get hoses on the fire.

Police were called to reports of a 'disturbance' between members of the public at about 7pm, and spoke to some of the onlookers.

No arrests have been made.

The family that lives in the house escaped unhurt, but firefighters said both floors were "severely damaged."

Neighbour Graham Schofield spotted the blaze from Morrisons car park, and immediately realised the fire was in Stanley Gardens.

He said: "When I got home I saw black smoke and flames coming from the back of the house. The fire brigade were not there so I went in my house and called 999 but they said they'd had three calls already.

"The family were distressed to say the least."

It is not yet known how the fire started.

UK Power Networks were also called to the scene where the cause of the fire is being investigated.