Two cats have been rescued from a smoke-filled Rochester flat after a fire in an outbuilding spread to the home above.

Fire crews from Medway were called to Neville Road at just before 10pm yesterday after reports of a fire in the back garden.

But, on arrival, they found a storage shed was alight and had spread to the flat above.

The male owner was able to escape, but told crews his cats were still inside.

Crew manager Jody Morgan said: "We used breathing apparatus to go back in and, fortunately, found them very quickly cowering in a corner. They were scared, but relieved to see us."

He praised crews for putting the fire out in less than half-an-hour.

The shed was destroyed and some smoke damage was caused to the kitchen and bathroom of the flat.