A woman and her five pet dogs escaped unhurt following a serious blaze at a large Georgian house.

The fire is believed to have started about 2.50pm and Kent Fire and Rescue Service described it as "well developed" when crews arrived.

Firefighters managed to contain the fire, which broke out on the ground floor, in one wing of the building.

Maidstone fire station manager David Nolan said: "At first there was a risk of it spreading but with the innovative kit we have we were able to prevent it spreading."

He added: "It is a beautiful building."

Crews used a mix of water and foam to get the blaze under control quickly. The two substances together work better than just water alone.

Two floors of one wing have been severely damaged and the fire started in a drawing room. There were no smoke alarms in the property.

A neighbour, Margaret Plowright, who lived in the house for 50 years, said: "It is such a shame to see it like that."

Four fire engines were sent to the scene and Mr Nolan praised the efforts of teams from Maidstone and Sittingbourne. Fire service personnel are expected to stay on the scene until around 8pm.

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