by Sam Lennon

These are the dramatic moments when firefighters tackled a blaze as it began devouring a 12ft high hedge.

A crew from Ashford was called to the scene off Canterbury Road, Kennington, at 10.45am Thursday.

Neighbour Ted Prangnell said: "The fire brigade got there in time because it could eventually have reached the house the hedge belonged to."

Kent Fire and Rescue Service said the fire began at the hedge's furthest point from the house and went 5 to 6 metres along it, about a third of the way.

Firefighters now believe the blaze may have been started by vandals.