A family had to evacuate their home after a fire started accidentally in an electric shower unit.

Crews were called at 9.50am to Poplar Grove in Maidstone, where black smoke was billowing out of the bathroom window.

The woman who lived there called 999, before leaving with her three grown up children and grandchild.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used a hose reel to put out the blaze, which had melted the plastic fittings holding the shower unit to the wall, allowing it to fall into the bath and continue burning, leaving a big hole in the bath.

After clearing smoke and fumes with a special fan, crews used a thermal imaging camera to check for hot spots and spent about 20 minutes making sure the scene was safe.

They also replaced smoke alarms and gave the family fire safety advice.

Crews had left by 10.30am.