A family battled with a garden hose to put out a blaze that struck the back of their house.

The fire had spread from a fence and reached a rear window, back door and guttering on the property at Luddenham Close, Ashford, yesterday

Firefighters were called just after 6pm and stopped the flames spreading further.

Ashford firefighter Neil Jones said: “There had been a family of seven at the house with five school age children.

“They all got out safely and used a garden hose to deal with the fire before we got there.

“Thankfully the fire did not get inside the house, although there was some smoke damage.”

Two fire engines from Ashford were called out and crews were at the scene for an hour and a half.

Police were called to investigate but the cause of the blaze has not yet been confirmed.