A Gillingham mum has promised to throw away her chip pan after fire broke out in her kitchen.

Mother-of-two Mikayla Tenyue had finished cooking tea in Balmoral Road when her smoke alarm sounded.

The family saw smoke billowing from the first-floor flat's kitchen.

Ms Tenyue said: "When I heard the smoke alarms I immediately went in to the kitchen and realised that a pan of oil that I had been cooking chips in was alight.

"I quickly grabbed a fire blanket, which I have never had to use before, and tried to contain the fire.

"I then got the kids and quickly left the flat, and went down to the flat below to alert my neighbours, and got them out too, as I was worried that the fire might spread."

It happened last Wednesday and having dialled 999, the two families stayed outside waiting for firefighters to arrive.

Two fire engines arrived and entered the flat, ensuring the fire was fully out and clearing out smoke.

Ms Tenyue, whose daughters are 11 and two-years-old Mikayla added: "I am pretty certain I turned off the heat, but as the hob is electric, it must have stayed hot for longer than I realised and the oil overheated, starting the fire.

"She was extremely lucky not to have got injured while trying to put out the fire herself, however, I commend her swift actions in getting herself and her family out safety" - fire station leader Paul Nash

"One of the firefighters suggested that I get a deep fat fryer instead of using a pan of oil. It was the first time, and certainly the last, that I will ever cook chips this way."

Rochester station leader, Paul Nash, said: "Fortunately, there was very little damage caused by the fire, and only light smoke logging.

"We did advise the occupant that she was extremely lucky not to have got injured while trying to put out the fire herself, however, I commend her swift actions in getting herself and her family out safety and staying out, as well as alerting the neighbours.

"This incident clearly highlights how important it is to have working smoke alarms fitted in your home and also know to get out of your property as soon as possible.

"We recommend that residents consider switching to a safer method of cooking chips such as a thermostatically-controlled deep fat fryer or opt for oven chips instead."

The family were invited to meet with firefighters in Gillingham this week.

Speaking after the event Ms Tenyue said: "My girls loved it at the fire station and my eldest is really encouraging me now to consider a career in firefighting."