Investigators have identified the cause of a fire that ripped through a luxury barn conversion and left it in a pile of rubble.

Four fire engines responded to 999 calls after the five-bedroom home in Boyton Court Road, Sutton Valence, caught alight on Monday evening.

Firefighters remained at the scene overnight and the wreckage was still smouldering the morning after.

A spokesman for Kent Fire and Rescue Service have now confirmed the fire is believed to have been started as a result of radiated heat from the wood burner flue in the loft.

Crews responded to calls at around 8.45pm and started to try to put the fire out.

Foam was used to create a protective barrier on surrounding buildings to prevent the fire from also catching alight due to the intense heat and falling embers from the fire.

There were no casualties and even fears for the owners cat proved unfounded as he turned up unscathed.

Boyton Court Road was closed to allow emergency services free access and the power to the house and neighbouring properties was temporarily switched off as a precaution while crews tackled the flames.

The five-bed building last changed hands in 2011 for £750,000.