A faulty dishwasher is thought to be to blame for a large house fire in Bearsted.

Firefighters from Maidstone, Marden and Larkfield attended the blaze in Fremlins Road yesterday, after a neighbour reported smoke coming from the house. Firefighters praised their quick actions.

Crews wearing breathing apparatus tackled the fire with a hose reel and cut away the kitchen ceiling to access hot spots. A thermal imaging camera was then used to check if the fire was spreading.

Once the fire had been extinguished a Positive Pressure Ventilation fan (PPV) was used to clear the house of smoke.

Maidstone station manager Grant Brooker said: “Luckily no one was injured in the fire but extensive damage was sustained to the kitchen and ground floor of the house.

“As this incident shows, fire can break out in kitchen appliances with very little warning. For this reason, I would strongly recommend that homeowners never operate white goods such as dishwashers, tumble dryers or washing machines while out of the property or overnight. Always read the manufacturers’ instructions and keep all household appliances in good working order.”

Firefighters also advise homeowners to keep doors closed to help slow the spread of fire; check electrical equipment is switched off and unplugged at the wall; and always have working smoke alarms fitted on each floor of your home.