A parrot in a heavy cage was trapped as a fire engulfed an airing cupboard.

Fire crews were called to Caesar Avenue in Kingsnorth at around 2.15pm today.

Everyone was out of the property when crews arrived apart from the parrot, who was shut inside the lounge in its cage, as it was too heavy for the occupant to lift.

Firefighters in breathing apparatus used a thermal imaging camera and a hose reel to extinguish the fire in a first floor airing cupboard.

The blaze is believed to have started accidentally after a water heater overheated, igniting clothing in the cupboard. It damaged the clothing and the door surround. The bathroom and first floor also suffered smoke damage.

Fortunately, the parrot was unharmed.