Squirrels nibbling their way through cables in a cottage roof are believed to have started a large fire in a Victorian cottage.

The tenant of the property in Kilndown, near Cranbrook, owned by Lord Mayhew, was out when the fire broke out Wednesday lunchtime.

Near neighbour Veronica Stacey, on her way to arrange flowers at the church, said: "I saw smoke and thought someone was having a bonfire. When I came back I couldn't get past the cottage for fire engines."

Ninety per cent of the roof and first floor was destroyed and the rest of the property damaged by smoke and water. Four crews, some with breathing apparatus, were at the scene from 12.39pm and the last firefighters left at 7.51pm.

Lord Mayhew told the Kent Messenger: "The fire broke out in a void behind an airing cupboard and the most probable cause was squirrels chewing through cables."

He said a loss adjuster was due to be visiting him to assess the cost of the damage. He hoped the cottage, built in about 1890, would be restored.

The tenant Samantha Cooper, who was at work and her two children at school, returned to find the fire brigade battling the fire.