Video footage shows the moment a gas worker leapt to safety as a fire broke out in a Gillingham road.

The fire broke out at about 1.30pm today at roadworks in Holmside, Gillingham, and was caught on CCTV by a neighbouring property.

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Andrew Rapley, who lives in nearby Seaton Road, witnessed the incident - and believed the fire was caused by fuel leaking from a blow torch, rather than a gas explosion.

"They've been carrying out gas works for a while, digging up the road, drilling holes," he said. "The guy appeared to go into one of the holes. Then I just saw him pull his arm up and something was on fire. It was hard to tell if it was his arm or if he was holding something.

"He swung his arm and then the whole road caught alight."

He was not sure how seriously the man was injured, but said he had been able to help fight the blaze after escaping.

"He looked like he grabbed an extinguisher and the other guy had some water and they managed to put the fire out.

"I'm guessing he went to casualty because he disappeared after that.

"It was a bit frightening, but they looked like they had it under control."