A family had to flee their home after a malfunctioning extractor fan set fire to the loft.

It is thought an electrical fault with a fan in the bathroom ceiling caused the fire, forcing a couple and their young child to escape from their house in Sandown Drive, Rainham, at about 9.30pm last night (Wednesday).

They were not injured and were outside by the time two fire crews arrived to tackle the blaze in the roof space of the property.

The loft fire was extinguished by firefighters wearing breathing apparatus using a hose reel and by removing the contents of the loft.

About 30% of the roof space, structural support and loft contents were damaged.