Neighbours rescued an elderly lady from her flat in Strood last night after she accidentally turned her electric heater up too high.

Fire crews were called to the property which is in sheltered accommodation in Evelyn Close at 10.30pm.

A spokesman said: "The lady had unintentionally pressed the booster button on her heater which made it really hot.

"She'd put her chair to close to the heater so a newspaper stuffed down the back of it caught fire.

"The fire alarm went off and her neighbours got her out of her flat before we arrived."

Last week Kent Fire and Rescue Service asked people to ensure fire safety is top priority this Christmas after 17 accidental fires in a four week period.

Between Wednesday, November 5 and Friday, December 5, fire crews attended 17 accidental fires in people’s homes in Chatham, Hartlip, Lordswood, Parkwood, Rainham, Rochester, Sheerness, Sittingbourne, St Mary’s Island, Strood and Walderslade.

Four were caused after items were placed on or too close to a heat source causing the items to catch alight.

Nine were electrical, including an extension cable not being fully unwound, which sparked a fire.

Dean Firmin, a station manager said: “If you’ve got elderly relatives or neighbours take the time to test their smoke alarms and don’t forget to change the batteries if needed.”

KFRS offers free safety advice and services to everyone to speak to a home safety advisor call 0800 9237000.