An outhouse caught fire when a security light fell face-down onto its roof while the owners were away.

Firefighters were called to the blaze in a concrete building in Cowper Road, Gillingham, early this morning.

Neighbours raised the alarm after spotting flames at the bottom of the garden at about 1am.

It is believed a faulty fixing on the security light caused it to fall onto the building's felt roof covering.

The light then burnt a hole in the lining and through the timber structure. Luckily, there was nothing inside the outhouse.

Firefighters, who spent about an hour at the scene, had to leave a note for the owners explaining why there is now a hole in the roof of their outhouse.

A firefighter at Medway station said: "These security lights are incredibly powerful and will easily catch light to felt or similar materials if they are left in close proximity.

"The owners weren't at home so this light could have been on the roof for days. It was just a matter of time before it went up in flames."