An elderly man had to be taken to hospital after a fire broke out in his bedroom which was caused by an electric blanket.

The man, in his late 70s discovered the fire had broken out in his bedroom after he got up early this morning to go to the toilet at the home in Hempstead Road, Hempstead.

Firefighters say as the man returned to his bed he discovered it was alight.

He was able to alert a woman who also lived at the house, who was asleep in a bedroom upstairs in the property.

The pair, who are both in their late 70s, were able to get out of the house and managed to dial 999 as they left and were standing outside the property with a duvet around them when the crew arrived.

Ambulance crews took the elderly man to hospital as a precaution and he is not thought to have suffered any serious injury.

The fire broke out at about 4.30am and firefighters used breathing apparatus to enter the home to put out the flames.

A spokesman for Kent Fire and Rescue Service, said: “The fire broke out in his room which was on an extension to the side of the property.

“He had got up and discovered it as he returned to his room.

“There was quite a bit of fire damage to the room and smoke damage to other parts of the house.

“We would like to advise people who use electric blankets to make sure they are in good working order and get them checked regularly by a qualified electrician.

“We think this one the man was using was at least 10 years old and when people put them in cupboards during the summer when they are not being used, the blankets are often folded up and the elements inside them can crack and break up.

“If you know someone who is using an old one, then perhaps buy them a new one for Christmas or get them a hot water bottle instead.

“The property did have smoke alarms fitted but they were well away from the man’s bedroom which was in the side extension to the house.

“Smoke detectors should be fitted all over the house. “