A family had a lucky escape last night after an iron almost burned down their home.

The house in Eastgate Terrace, off Rochester High Street, had no smoke alarm and firefighters were only alerted when one went off next door.

By the time three fire engines arrived the iron, ironing board and carpet on the first floor were well alight.

Ken Spratt, watch manager at Strood Fire Station, said: "The blaze had begun to break through to the ground floor. There was thick black smoke and we couldn't see more than a foot in front of us.

"There was no-one at home when we arrived but if anyone had been on the first floor, things could have been much more dangerous."

One crew from Strood and two from Medway were called at 5.15pm after the next-door neighbour dialled 999.

The fire engines could not fit down the narrow alley so they parked in the historic high street.

Two pupils from King's School arrived with their aunt while crews tackled the blaze, and removed the ironing board (pictured) and other smoke-damaged items from the house.

Firefighters took 20 minutes to put out the blaze and left at 6.30pm.

Mr Spratt said: "If we hadn't come when we did the boys would have come home to a house on fire.

"We hope this will remind people how important it is to have a working smoke alarm, and to always check appliances like irons are switched off."