The quick-thinking actions of a stranger saved the lives of a family when she spotted flames coming from the side of their home.

Ruthie Sears, 31, and her partner Tom Gaskin, 29, were woken shortly before 8am by a loud banging on their front door in Sturdee Avenue, Gillingham.

Miss Sears said: “We went to the window and a lady was yelling at us ‘get out, your house is on fire’.

“We got the children and ran outside. We could see the flames going up the side of the extension.

“The big bush between the houses and our back gate was alight; it was almost up to the roof.”

Mr Gaskin ran outside and started to tackle the flames using the garden hose until the fire brigade arrived. The blaze destroyed the garden gate and melted a padlock.

Miss Sears added: “From what the fire brigade have said, she saved our lives. If the flames had got into the loft fibres, the whole house could have gone up in minutes.”

When she went to thank the keen-eyed passer-by, the lady had vanished.

"From what the fire brigade have said, she saved our lives. If the flames had got into the loft fibres, the whole house could have gone up in minutes..." - Ruthie Sears

Miss Sears turned to Facebook to find her. After her post was shared almost 100 times on various groups, she was reunited with their “guardian angel”, Laura Hassain.

Miss Hassain, 42, was on her way to work at Medway Council on Monday morning when she spotted the flames.

She said: “I was really frightened for them. I couldn’t tell if the flames were coming from inside or outside the house.

“I just did what anyone else would have done – I’m not the type of person to just walk on by. I’m just glad they are all still here.”

The couple have lived in the semi-detached home for 10 years, and have three children – Billy, 12, Joe, eight, and Tommy, three – as well as two dogs.

Miss Sears said: “Laura is our guardian angel. She deserves to be recognised for her bravery. She’s restored my faith in humanity.

“Someone was definitely watching down on us that morning and we thank Laura from the bottom of our hearts. Her kindness will never be forgotten.”

A spokesman for Medway fire station said they believed the cause of the fire was suspicious but were unsure what started it.