A fire tore through wooden decking and a garden fence after an accident involving a patio heater.

Firefighters were called to the blaze in Ethelbert Road, Birchington, at about 8.40am today.

It is believed the fire started accidentally after a patio heater was left on and fell onto outdoor furniture, causing it to catch alight.

Crews in two fire engines tackled the fames, which they extinguished using jets of water.

The garden furniture, an area of decking and a nearby fence was left damaged.

A fire service spokesman said: "When using outdoor heaters, including wood burning fire pits and braziers, always make sure they are positioned on a flat surface and kept well away from your property, sheds, fences and overhanging branches, or any other foliage that could catch fire.

"And always make sure it's fully extinguished before leaving it unattended."

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