Firefighters rescued an elderly man from a flat fire earlier today.

The blaze was sparked after rubbish left near a hob in the kitchen caught fire at the flat in Longfield Close, Whitstable.

The flames spread to the fridge and caused significant damage to the kitchen.

The man suffered smoke inhalation and was taken to hospital by ambulance just after 3.30pm.

Meanwhile, fire crews wearing breathing gear tackled the blaze with water, finally dousing the flames just before 4pm.

Following the fire, Kent Fire and Rescue has warned people to keep flammable items away from hobs.