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Fire at home in Harvesters Close, Rainham

A family of five fled their home after a fire broke out in their front room while they were sleeping.

The blaze started at about 1am, but because the home was fitted with a working smoke alarm, it woke them as the flames took hold.

VIDEO: The aftermath of the fire.

The family, including three children, were woken by the alarm noise and were able to get out of their bedrooms and out of the back door unharmed before the blaze spread through their two storey home.

Firefighters fighting the flames at around 1am this morning
Firefighters fighting the flames at around 1am this morning

When firefighters arrived on the scene, the house in Harvesters Close, was well alight and the four crews which attended managed to stop the flames spreading to neighbouring properties.

Firefighters from Medway and Rochester fire stations were sent to the scene and evacuated neighbours for safety reasons.

It is understood although the family escaped unharmed, they were taken to Medway Maritime Hospital as a precaution to get checked over.

The fire took hold at the house in Rainham
The fire took hold at the house in Rainham

Crews now say the fire is believed to have been started by a portable charger.

It took crews, who used breathing apparatus to enter the property almost four hours to bring the flames under control and they left the scene at about 4am.

The home has almost been completely destoryed by the flames and friends and neighbours have been rallying round the family helping them out and have set up a fundraising page and within hours had raised more than £500.

A spokesman for Kent Fire and Rescue Service, said: “The parents were woken by the smoke alarm and saw the fire downstairs and woke the children and managed to get them out the back safely.

The house was badly damaged after the blaze. Picture: Mathew Doe
The house was badly damaged after the blaze. Picture: Mathew Doe

“Crews did well to stop the flames spreading to neighbouring properties.

“The fire started in the front room and downstairs is totally destroyed and upstairs has suffered severe damage."

A Go Fund Me page set up to help the family has raised more than £500 in 12 hours.

To pledge your support, visit https://www.gofundme.com/2ftecj8e

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