A Gillingham home was almost burned down by an iron before a watchful neighbour called fire crews.

Medway full-time and part-time firefighters were alerted to the blaze at a terraced house in Linden Road at about 10.15pm yesterday.

The resident had gone out, leaving a swtiched-on iron on the first floor.

Crews caught the fire early when it had only set alight to the ironing board and net curtains.

They broke down the front door and used hoses and breathing apparatus to put out the blaze.

The householder had still not returned when crews left at about midnight.

A Medway fire station spokesman said: "If the neighbour hadn't seen the fire it would've have been a lot worse. It probably would have burned through the roof.

"We would like to remind people about the dangers of leaving electrical appliances unattended."