A bathroom fire is believed to have started accidentally after a candle fell onto a clothes air dryer and caused the clothing to catch alight.

Two fire engines were sent to a house in Salisbury Road, Chatham where firefighters wearing breathing apparatus extinguished the flames using a hose reel jet, before using a high-pressured fan to clear the home of smoke.

One person suffered minor burns to their hand and was passed into the care of paramedics. Three other people were given precautionary checks at the scene for smoke inhalation.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service are warning people to remember not to leave candles unattended when lit and to make sure they are positioned in a study holder, well away from anything that could catch alight, such as clothing, plants, or curtains.

A spokeswoman added: “Avoid placing candles and tealights on windowsills or the floor, where a draught could easily knock it over.

“And, check you have a working smoke alarm on each floor of your home and test it regularly. It could save your life.”