A fault in a washing machine is believed to have caused the appliance to burst into flames at a home in Gillingham earlier this afternoon.

Firefighters from Medway were called out to Chaucer Road, shortly before 2pm after the homeowners were alerted to the fire via their smoke alarm.

The crew used breathing apparatus to enter the property to put out the fire and used a powerful fan to disperse the smoke from inside.

It is understood the homeowner was able to get out of the property and dial 999 without suffering any injury.

A spokesman for Kent Fire and Rescue Service said: “The fire is being treated as accidental and is believed to have been cause by a fault with the appliance.”