A horrified home owner had to call out firefighters yesterday evening (Monday) after her brand new boiler exploded.

The 38-year-old woman was spending the second night in her new flat on Maidstone Road, Rochester, when she discovered the boiler had blown up.

When firefighters arrived at about 7pm, the second floor apartment was "well alight," according to watch manager Alan Brown.

Crews from Strood and Medway used breathing apparatus to get into the property near the junction of Priestfields.

Gas board engineers were called to investigate. The incident was under control in just over half an hour.

A spokesman for Kent Fire and Rescue said: “The incident is due to be investigated by the manufacturer of the boiler as it had only been installed the day before.

“Luckily the flat wasn’t damaged from the explosion except for some smoke damage.

Crews remained at the scene until it had been declared safe by Southern Gas Networks.

No-one was inured in the incident.