Firefighters at the scene in Doddington Road, Twydall

A fire that destroyed a Gillingham family home today might have started in a shed.

Firefighters were called to the blaze behind a semi-detached house in Doddington Road, Twydall, at just before noon.

A man in his 50s is thought to have gone out for a few minutes and returned to find the blaze in a shed behind his home.

By the time fire crews arrived it was well alight, with neighbours seeing flames and thick black smoke.

Several people, thought to be friends and relatives, rushed to the quiet street after three fire engines arrived.

A Kent Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said the fire had spread to the house, leaving the ground floor gutted by fire and the second floor badly smoke-damaged.

The shed and its contents were completely destroyed.

About 15 firefighters tackled the blaze in a few minutes, wearing breathing apparatus and using water jets.

They are still trying to establish what caused the fire.

A spokesman said the fire was exacerbated by petrol in the tank of a generator inside the shed.

A witness said: "I saw it out of my window as it was happening. There were flames and black smoke.

"The lady who lives there is a school worker. She's hysterical."