Firefighters needed breathing gear to put out a fire in the basement of a semi-detached house in Gravesend.

Crews were called to the property, in Portland Road, just before 4pm.

They used a thermal imaging camera to check for fire spread and a positive pressure ventilation fan to clear smoke from the property.

The cause of the fire is believed to be a faulty tumble dryer.

A Kent Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: "The occupant was alerted to the blaze by a smoke alarm fitted in the basement and discovered smoke issuing from a tumble dryer.

"They quickly switched off the power and closed the door, before leaving the property and calling 999.

"Closing the doors helped to reduce the smoke damage to the rest of the house and firefighters were able to contain the fire to the basement due to the early warning from the smoke alarm."

Crews were at the scene until just after 5pm.