Firefighters attended a bathroom fire in Whitfield last night after a couple were awoken by popping sounds.

An extractor fan had caught alight while the occupants of the house in Lenacre Lane, Whitfield, were in bed asleep.

Before they had retired to bed, they had been unable to switch off the shower room light.

They were awoken at 3am to popping sounds and soon discovered the blaze. The house was fitted with two working fire alarms but neither had sounded.

Watch manager Mellett said: “It was the noise of the fire that alerted them.”

They were able to extinguish it themselves with a damp towel and call the fire brigade.

One fire engine from Dover and another from Whitfield’s part time station attended the scene until about 4am.

Mr Mellett said: “We checked it was properly out and gave some fire safety advice.”