AN INVESTIGATION has been launched after a fire badly damaged a house in a Kent town.

The blaze destroyed more than 60 per cent of the property in Milner Road, Gillingham.

Firefighters were called after the blaze broke out at about 6pm last night. One man who had been in the home a the time, was led to safety by firefighters.

Crews from Medway and Gillingham fire stations were called out to fight the flames and used breathing apparatus to enter the two-storey property.

A spokesman said: "The fire was quite intense when we arrived, and smoke was spreading thought the loft cavity into neighbouring properties.

"Crews did well to put the flames out within 10 minutes, and then we ventilated the neighbouring properties to make sure smoke wasn't lingering. The cause of the fire is being investigated."