Three people including a young child were taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation after a discarded cigarette sparked a house fire.

Firefighters were called to Rose Gardens, Minster, near Ramsgate, at about 10.20pm yesterday after a conservatory caught alight.

Crews battled the blaze for close to an hour, using a main jet to extinguish the flames, and a high pressure fan to clear the building of smoke.

Ambulance crews also attended and gave on-the-scene treatment to a young child and two others.

A SECAMB spokesman confirmed three patients were assessed and treated at the scene before being taken to hospital for further checks.

A spokesperson for Kent Fire and Rescue said: “The fire is believed to have started accidentally and has been linked to the disposal of smoking materials.”