AN ELECTRICAL fault in a dishwasher caused a fire at a house in Rochester this morning.

The three-storey terraced house in Fennel Close, suffered minor smoke and fire damage after fire broke out in the kitchen just after 9am. Residents living nearby heard a smoke alarm going off and rang the emergency services.

The homeowner, who didn't want to be named, said: "Luckly the neighbours called the fire brigade after hearing the smoke alarm, otherwise it could have caused more damage. I was close by and rushed home when I heard about it."

A brigade spokesman said: "Two pumps, one from Strood and the other from Medway, were dispatched to the property where they discovered a fire in a three-story home.

"Firefighters used breathing apparatus to enter the property and within 20 minutes brought the blaze under control.

"No one was trapped in the house and all persons have been accounted for."