A HOUSE has been partially destroyed by a serious fire that ravaged the roof and took four fire crews hours to put out.

Firefighters were called to the detached two-storey home in Livesey Street, Teston, after calls about a burning chimney on Friday morning.

But it was soon discovered that the roof was "well alight" and four pumps - two from Maidstone, one from Paddock Wood and one from Larkfield - took more than two hours to fight the flames.

Crews used a ladder, jets and hydrant to tackle the blaze, and the water board was called in order to increase the water pressure in the area.

The fire destroyed the roof and first floor of the house. Firefighters were still damping down hot spots throughout late morning and lunchtime.

It is not believed that anybody was hurt, and the fire is not believed to have been suspicious.