A FIRE in a flat could have been a lot worse had it not been for a quick-thinking neighbour.

Medway firefighters were called to Watersmead, St Mary’s Island, Chatham, at about 6.50pm on Saturday after a towel placed too close to the hob caught fire.

One occupant, a man believed to be in his late 40’s, was asleep at the time but his alert neighbour woke him up by banging on the door.

Fortunately, the man did not need medical attention. Apart from smoke damage, a small section of the kitchen work top was also burned.