A woman fled to safety after a tumble dryer caught fire in the bedroom of her bungalow this morning.

Firefighters were alerted at about 9am after she smelt smoke and discovered flames from the machine had ignited her curtains and carpet.

The woman, in her late 60s, was out of her home in The Mailyns, Rainham, when two crews arrived to put out the fire using a hose reel and ventilation fan.

Meanwhile a team from Red Cross victim support were called to comfort the occupant who did not need medical treatment.

Crew manager Kevin Ford said: "It could have been a lot worse. But the lady did all the right things by closing the door, getting out and staying out. By doing that it was contained to her bedroom. Also her smoke alarms were working.

"We would normally advise people not to keep such appliances in a bedroom and, if they do, remove any fluff inside each time it is used."

Housing officers from Medway Council were due to visit later today to make sure the property is safe.