A man was taken to hospital after a dehumidifier caught alight in his bathroom which resulted in toxic fumes billowing inside his home.

Kent Fire and Rescue were called to a semi-detached home in Station Road, Whitstable, just before 1am yesterday.

After hearing a loud bang, the man discovered the plastic dehumidifier alight in his bathroom. He threw a bucket of water over it before leaving the property to dial 999.

He was given oxygen therapy by firefighters before ambulance crews took him to hospital for further checks.

Watch manager Richard Judge issued a warning to careful around the use of electrical appliances following the incident.

He said: "The unit was mainly plastic, once the bathroom door was opened; it allowed thick, black smoke to escape, filling the rest of the ground floor with fire smoke, which is extremely toxic.

"Please don’t underestimate its effects, it reduces visibility, can make you confused and just three breaths can cause unconsciousness, reducing your chances of escape.

“We don’t go into house fires without a range of specialist protective equipment, it’s crucial for our safety – please don’t take chances with your life, if a fire starts, get out and leave the firefighting to us."

For free safety advice call Kent Fire and Rescue on 0800 9237000.