A hairdryer is believed to have caused a fire that wrecked a family home.

Firefighters were called to the blaze in Barn Platt, Ashford, just after 4pm yesterday.

They believe the dryer had been left on by a child who was playing with it, causing some clothes it was laying on to catch fire.

Shortly afterwards the mother, who was downstairs, smelt smoke and heard the house's smoke alarm go off.

After discovering the fire she got herself and her three children out and dialled 999.

The first floor bedroom was badly damaged and the family will have to be rehoused.

Crews from Ashford and Chilham, wearing breathing apparatus, used hose reels and special ventilation fans to clear the smoke quickly.

Jim Smart, Ashford watch manager “I think that the family was really fortunate. The smell of smoke and alarms sounding alerted the mother to the fire before it had a chance to get hold of the property.

"It gave us enough time to contain it and the family the time needed to get out safely."

Firefighters have also warned parents to make sure their children avoid fire hazards.

Mr Smart added: "This incident was very unfortunate. It's only natural for children to play but sometimes this gets out of hands and results in fires like this.

"As a parent or guardian make sure you give your child clear instructions of what they should and shouldn't do.

"With older children it's better to also explain why.

"You will probably need to talk about fire safety more than once, to make sure they have remembered and understood what you have taught them."

Tell them:

To tell a grown-up of they see matches or lighters lying around.

Never to play with matches, lighters or lighted candles.

Never to play, or leave toys, close to a fire, heater or hairdryer

Not to put things on top of heaters, lights or hairdryers.

Not to pull on electric cables or fiddle with electrical appliances or sockets.