A man had to be treated for minor burns after a fire broke out at his home in Roberts Close.

The property, in Milton Regis, went up in flames after when he reportedly left a frying pan on the hob and went out to “do some digging”.

He returned to find it was on fire and according to fire crews threw coats on the pan in an attempt to stop the fire, but they set alight too.

VIDEO: The aftermath of the blaze

After throwing the flaming objects out of the door and causing his shed to become alight, four fire engines arrived at the property.

A neighbour, who witnessed the event, said: “I thought it was just a fire in the garden at first but then I saw more smoke.

“It was pouring out the windows and there was a lot coming from the kitchen.

“I saw my neighbour come out into the road too.”

Another resident, who lives in the same street, said: “He said his saucepan was on fire and by that point there were four fire engines on the road.

“It was really shocking and very sad.”

According to witnesses, an ambulance was at the scene and a paramedic was treating him.

He did not require hospital treatment.

The property has suffered serious damage, with an upstairs window being shattered.

Firefighters are urging people not to leave their kitchen unattended while cooking food.

Crews from Sittingbourne and Sheppey received the call at about 5.30pm yesterday and were on the scene until around 9.15pm.