Two cats had to be rescued after a fire which left the flat they were in destroyed.

Five fire crews were called to Rochester High Street at 1am on Sunday to find a first floor flat alight.

Four firefighters in breathing apparatus went into the block, which has been converted into flats, to rescue two cats from the flat and to check no one else was in the other properties.

The woman occupant of the flat on fire managed to get out before crews arrived and there was no-one else in the building.

It took crews close to three hours to make sure the fire was out and the flat building was secure. Both flats on the second floor were smokelogged and the ground floor flat was water-damaged.

It is believed the fire was started in the kitchen and was caused by a candle burning.

A spokesman for Strood Fire Station said: “We’re putting the cause down to a candle and are warning people to be careful when they use them.

“Use a proper holder and don’t put the candle somewhere it can be knocked over.”

The fire was attended by crews from Medway, Strood, Chatham and Thameside.