A fire in a house in Rochester is thought to have been started by a candle left unattended.

The blaze broke out in a bedroom in a home in Rochester Avenue, and caused substantial damage to the top floor.

The incident, yesterday morning, caused the road to be closed for several hours while firefighters brought the flames under control.

Crews were called at 11.15am after the fire broke out in a bedroom and was spotted by a passer-by.

The homeowner, a woman in her 50s, was in the basement of the property when the fire took hold, but was able to get out unharmed.

A Kent Fire and Rescue Service spokesman, said: "There was no smoke alarm in the property and as the homeowner was in the basement, she didn't realise there was a fire until the passer-by alerted her."

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