A man was treated for burns after he set himself on fire lighting a barbecue.

Firefighters were called to Trinity Place in Deal at 1.30pm to reports of a fire but there was no blaze when they arrived.

A spokesman for Deal fire station said paramedics were pouring cold water on him in the shower.

They said: "We turned up and there wasn't anything really alight anymore.

"A gentleman did suffer burns. He burned himself trying to light the barbecue."

It is believed the man received burns to both his arms and was taken for further treatment by paramedics.

The air ambulance landed in a park in nearby Freemen's Way.

It has sparked a safety warning from firefighters reminding people to make sure they use proper barbecue lighting materials.

The spokesman added: "We will go out there and give advice.

"Take care whilst lighting and use genuine barbecue lighting materials: lighting fluid or blocks.

"It's important that you don't use flammable items like petrol because it's very, very dangerous."