A wicker laundry basket led to a kitchen fire in Headcorn on Wednesday evening.

Two fire engines from Maidstone were called to Tattlebury Lane at 5.15pm.

The basket is thought to have been left on a hob, which was accidentally turned on, and caught alight.

The resident was able to pour water on the basket before the fire was able to spread.

Firefighters spent 20 minutes putting out the blaze. Only the hob was damaged.

It is thought a smoke detector alerted the resident to the fire.

Community Safety Manager Charlie Smith said: “Fortunately no one was seriously injured in this incidents and there was minimal damage to property, however it demonstrates how fire can breakout when you least expect it.

“For this reason, we are urging residents to take extra care in the kitchen and not store flammable items either on the hob or within the oven itself.

"It is also vital to make sure you fit smoke alarms on each floor of your home and test them regularly, so that they can give you early warning to a fire.”