A garage has been destroyed after a cigarette set fire to rubbish.

Firefighters were called to Luton Road in Chatham at 2am today after a passer-by spotted the flames.

A spokesman for Kent Fire and Rescue Service said a cigarette had been thrown onto a pile of rubbish that had been left out for collection. The rubbish caught fire and spread to a garage, which was destroyed in the flames.

Now firefighters are urging people to make sure their cigarettes are extinguished before being thrown away.

The spokesman added: “People need to make sure their butts are out before carelessly chucking them. If people are going to throw them, put them in the gutter not onto a pile of rubbish.”

Firefighters were on the scene for one hour.