A CHRISTMAS card which fell on to a candle started a small fire in a house in Harold Road at Cuxton, near Rochester.

The fire spread to other cards in the living room and burned a table but a smoke alarm woke up the woman occupant. She called the Fire and Rescue Service but was able to douse the flames herself.

The fire broke out shortly after 10pm on New Year's Day. Strood Fire Station sub-officer Martin Simmons said: "It's not clear what caused the card to fall, possibly a draught.

"It was only a small fire but we want to stress that it was a smoke alarm that alerted the woman and she was able to take action before it got worse."

Two fire pumps were called out and crews inspected the scene to make sure it was safe.