Residents are being urged to think twice when it comes to tackling electrical fires after two men in Tunbridge Wells put their lives in danger.

A fire in Birling Road earlier this month has sparked the warning after Kent Fire and Rescue attended the properties and discovered the homeowner extinguished the blaze.

After being alerted to a fire in the main electrical intake of the property on Wednesday, October 14, the man put the fire out by placing a wet towel over live electrics, endangering his life.

The fire had spread up the wall and along the electrical cabling.

Watch Manager Mark Havell said: "On discovery of the fire, it appears that the man attempted to put it out by placing a wet towel over the live electrics, which was extremely dangerous. He is lucky to be alive and to not have electrocuted himself."

Firefighters isolated the electrical supply at the fuse box and removed the main fuse using specialist equipment, including electrical gloves and used a thermal imaging camera.

A similar incident in Eastlands on September 26 saw a resident rupture a domestic gas pipe in an attempt to fix electrics in a kitchen - causing an explosion which damaged the kitchen and burst water pipes, flooding the property.

The resident also tried to fight the fire himself, causing burns to his hands in the process and, again, putting his life at risk.

The crew is now warning all residents that electrical fires need to be treated with extreme caution.

Mark said: "If you discover a fire that involves electricity, do not attempt to deal with it yourself or put water on it under any circumstances. Leave the property as soon as you can and try to isolate the electrical supply, only if safe to do so, on your way out and call 999 for Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) straight away.

"We would also advise you to close internal doors as you leave the premises as this will help contain the fire and reduce the damage to your home."

Tunbridge Wells fire crews will be out and about in the local area ahead of Electrical Safety Week, November 9-15, offering further electrical safety advice to residents.