Brave neighbours risked their own safety to dash into a home and save a woman's life as she slept during a fire.

Two fire engines were sent to the ground floor flat fire in Colombo Square, Ramsgate, shortly before midnight.

Before crews arrived a dramatic rescue had unfolded where around four neighbours entered the property to rescue a woman in her 30s who had fallen asleep with a pan on the hob.

The pan had caught alight and the house was filled with smoke.

When crews arrived the woman and her neighbours were outside the flat and the fire was out, but the woman needed oxygen as she was suffering from smoke inhalation, as was one of her neighbours, another woman.

Both were treated at the scene by firefighters and then placed in the care of paramedics.

Crews cleared the property of smoke using a large fan.

Firefighters have praised the quick thinking actions of the neighbours for saving the woman's life.

However they reaffirmed the dangers of leaving cooking unattended.

A spokesman said: "More than half of domestic fires that KFRS attends start in the kitchen.

"Kitchen distractions can and do lead to fires. Keep looking while you're cooking.

"If anyone needs safety advice please call the KFRS Home Safety team on 0800 923 7000 - you may even be eligible for a free safe and well visit."