A neighbour sprung into action after a fire broke out at a family home.

The homeowner heard smoke alarms sounding at around 7pm on Thursday and rushed to alert those inside the property in Dorothy Avenue, Cranbrook.

They also called Kent Fire and Rescue Service for help.

Everyone was outside by the time crews arrived but smoke was billowing out of the house.

The blaze started after clothes were left on a dryer in front of a log burner. It radiated heat to the washing, sparking the flames.

Firefighters in breathing apparatus used a hose reel to extinguish the fire and used a thermal imaging camera to check for hotspots under the floorboards.

They gave the residents safety advice before leaving the scene at about 8.15pm.

Cranbrook crew manager, David Howell, said: “I cannot stress enough how vital it is to have working smoke alarms in your home. As we’ve seen at this incident, they can and do provide the vital early warning needed, allowing the family to escape safely.

“As the weather cools down and residents switch to alternative ways of drying clothes and heating their homes, they should always keep safety in mind and never put themselves at risk.

“Make sure your log burner is at least 3ft away from items that could catch alight such as clothing, curtains and furniture and never leave it unsupervised if you have children or pets in your home. Avoid clutter around the stove as embers can land on nearby items and spark a fire.”

To get free home safety advice or to see if you qualify for a home safety visit please call 0800 923 7000 or email your contact details to home@kent.fire.uk.org