A garage and its contents went up in flames after a blaze broke out while the homeowner did some work inside it.

Firefighters from Medway and Strood fire stations were called out to a home in Allison Avenue, on the Darland estate in Gillingham at about 7.15pm after the fire took hold.

It is understood the homeowner, who has not been named, had been working inside the detached building when the fire started accidentally.

The man, who is thought to be in his late 50s, initially tried to fight the flames with a garden hose but called in fire crews as the flames spread.

A spokesman for Kent Fire and Rescue Service, said: “We used breathing apparatus to enter the garage to put out the flames.

“The garage was full of tools, DIY and gardening equipment and the entire contents were destroyed.

“The homeowner was very grateful for out efforts in putting out the flames before they spread to his home.”