Firefighters have issued a warning after being called to yet another house fire which was caused by items being left unattended on the hob.

Crews were called to a second storey flat in Albatross Avenue, Strood just after 6.45pm on Monday.

The residents had gone out leaving the hob on with food on it. A neighbour called 999 after hearing the smoke alarm.

Firefighters used a high-pressure hose reel to extinguish the flames and then used a fan to clear smoke fumes from the property. Nobody is reported to have been injured.

A KFRS spokesman said people should make sure they don’t leave anything combustible on the hob whether it is turned on or off.

He added: “Nothing should be stored on the off hob as they can easily be turned on.”

Last monthJuly, crews were called to Warren Wood Road after a pan of eggs was left on a stove and the pan boiled dry, causing the eggs to explode which created thick smoke.

And in June, kitchen cloths left in a pan to boil started a fire at a home in Castle Hill, Rochester and firefighters had to force entry to the property as the householder was out.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service have launched a kitchen fire safety campaign to highlight the risks and encourage families to make kitchen safety a high priority when they are cooking.

Visit www.kent.fire-uk.org