Fire crews were bemused when they were called to put out a burnt pasty.

One team from Chatham headed to a home in Kingswood Road, Gillingham at 6pm yesterday.

They entered the property, but instead of a microwave blaze, they found one burnt pasty.

The home was set up with an automatic call to fire crews if smoke it detected.

Firefighter Tim said he couldn't tell what flavour it was.

He said: "It was just a really hot pasty, it was burnt black and charred.

"They had just left it in the microwave for too long."

No injuries were reported, although the man who was planning to eat the pasty for dinner had to seek other arrangements.

The crew left within four minutes and has filed the incident as a false alarm.

Apart from that, the team had a quiet night shift.

Here are Kent Fire and Rescue's top tips for a fire safe meal time:

• Keep an eye on your cooking and remember to switch off your cooker if you have to leave the room

• Use a timer for items placed in your oven or grill to remind when your food is done and to save it from burning
• Plan and prepare - if you know you have a busy week ahead, try and plan in advance and prepare meals that do not require lots of cooking
• Avoid storing or placing household items on your cooker or stove
• Keep your cooker, grill and oven clean to avoid a build-up of grease and fat that could start a fire
• Keep children and pets well away from your cooking area
• Ensure electric cookers, toasters and microwaves are turned off at the mains when you have finished using them
• Fit a working smoke alarm on each floor of your home and test it weekly to ensure it provides early warning in the event of a fire.