A sounding smoke detector raised the alarm after a fire broke out in a basement.

Five fire engines and a height vehicle rushed to the house in Hillbrow Road, Ramsgate, where crews wearing breathing apparatus put out the flames using hose reel jets.

The residents safely escaped before the fire brigade arrived and no injuries were reported.

Crews were called out at exactly 9pm yesterday and were at the scene for an hour.

A Kent Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: "It’s believed the fire started accidentally due to an electrical fault in the basement, and spread throughout the rest of the property.

"Following the incident, firefighters are reminding people to ensure they have a working smoke alarm on each floor of their homes and to check them regularly."