A block of flats had to be evacuated after a chip pan fire broke out in one of the homes.

It is understood the homeowner had fallen asleep after putting the chip pan on the hob.

Firefighters from Strood and Rochester stations were called at about 10pm last night to Razorbill Close, in Strood where they found the pan well alight.

The fire had broken out on the second floor of the three-storey building and all flats were evacuated as a safety precaution.

Paramedics were also called to the scene and assessed people for smoke inhalation, but there were no reports of any injuries and no one needed to be treated.

The crews used breathing apparatus to enter the property to put out the flames.

The kitchen suffered severe fire damage as a result of the fire and most of the rest of the flat suffered smoke damage.

Firefighters then cleared smoke from the flat and the stairs of the block using a large fan.

The incident has led firefighters to remind people not to leave cooking unattended.

They say if you have to leave the room, turn the heat off before you go.

Crews left the scene after about 45 minutes.