A woman suffered burns to her face, arms and hands after attempting to extinguish a chip pan fire at her home.

Fire fighters found a woman in her early 40s injured from minor burns after they were called out to Spitfire Close, Chatham, just before 7.30am.

The emergency service administered first aid and oxygen before handing her into the care of the ambulance service, who took her to hospital for precautionary checks.

Fire crews extinguished the small fire using a hose reel.

A spokesman for Kent Fire and Rescue said: "It is believed that on discovering the pan alight the woman attempted to carry it into the garden and poured water onto the fire.

“If you are unlucky enough to have a chip pan fire, please don't attempt to carry a burning pan and never use water on a hot oil fire.

“The two do not mix.”

They added: “Turn off the heat, if it's safe to do so, but please don't lean over the pan to reach the controls.

“Try to remove all oxygen by covering the flame with a lid or baking tray.

“Then leave your home, closing internal doors behind you and phone the fire service on 999. “Firefighters have the training and protective clothing to extinguish fires safely.”