AN ELDERLY woman was left in shock after her garage, car and part of her garden went up in flames following two mysterious knocks on her door in the middle of the night.

The woman, in lives in Sutton Road, Maidstone, called Kent Fire and Rescue at around 9pm on Sunday after she realised her garage was burning down.

A team of nine Maidstone firefighters battaled for about 30 minutes to control the blaze. Police officers also attended.

One Maidstone firefighter said: "She had a knock on her door by some kids but she didn’t answer it because she thought it was trick or treaters. They came back and knocked again. She still didn’t answer.

"The next thing she knew her garage was alight, and all the conifers."

The flames destroyed the woman’s garage and the Ford Escort inside, as well as conifers on her next door neighbour’s property.

Firefighers said that nobody was hurt in the incident.

Maidstone and Malling Police are investigating and ask that anyone who saw anything suspicious to call them on 01622 6081989.