SIX people fled from a blazing house in Strood today after a fire broke out in the kitchen.

One occupant was taken to hospital suffering, it is thought, from smoke inhalation, but five others were treated at the scene. A pet chinchilla died in the fire.

Firefighters were called to the house in Darnley Road, just after 6.30am and found the fire had taken hold in the kitchen.

A spokesman for the fire brigade said: "Two appliances attended the address and the crew took about 40 minutes to put the fire out."

A spokesman for the ambulance service said: "One person was taken to Medway Maritime Hospital but the others were given treatment outside the house."