by Dan Bloom

A woman was treated for smoke inhalation after trying to put out a fire in her home.

Firefighters were called to a terrace property in Tern Avenue, Strood, at 3.45pm today, where a blaze had broken out in a first floor bedroom.

Martin Simmons, watch manager for Strood fire station, said: “The smoke detector alerted the occupier.

"She tried to put the fire out but was unable to so she left the property.”

Firefighters rescued the woman’s cat, before extinguishing the blaze.

Police and paramedics were also at the house.

The fire caused extensive damage to the bedroom and the woman, thought to be in her 40s, will now have to be re-homed.

She was treated for smoke inhalation at the scene but did not need to go to hospital.

The cause of the fire is not known at this stage, but it is believed to be accidental.