Firefighters have issued a warning about wood-fired pizza ovens and barbecues after a garden blaze spread to a home.

A family in Gravesend had to leave their property last night after the fire broke out just before midnight.

Crews were called to Sandown Road at 11.59pm to reports of a large garden fire.

Two engines attended and crews used hose reel jets to extinguish the flames and dampen down hotspots.

They were on the scene until 12.30am.

A spokesman for Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) said: “There are no reported injuries and the cause is believed to be due to an improperly disposed wood chipping cooking tray igniting a bin and spreading to the house exterior.

“Residents made their own arrangements for alternative accommodation.”

KFRS has issued the following advice if you're cooking outside with barbecues or pizza ovens:

- Always make sure materials are fully cooled before binning them,

- Make sure your outdoor cooking is well away from buildings, fences and greenery,

- Keep children and pets away from the cooking area.