Fire crews were called out after a basement filled with smoke, believed to be caused by a refrigerant gas leak.

Smoke had travelled from the basement into a ground floor flat in The Parade, Broadstairs, when the fire service arrived just after 10.20am this morning.

Crews investigated and believe the cause was air coolant refrigerant gas that had leaked from one of the refrigeration units.

It was cleared using a special fan and they also checked the basement, ground floor and adjoining flats for any signs of fire using a thermal imaging camera but none were detected.

The owner was advised to seek further advice.