Firefighters wearing breathing gear have rescued a kitten from a blazing flat. The fire in Woodberry Drive, Sittingbourne, caused extensive damage and left the family homeless.

The mystery blaze broke out around 4pm this afternoon.

A spokesman for Kent Fire and Rescue said: "It is unclear how the fire started but it began in a pile of household rubbish outside the property. It then spread into the ground-floor flat.

"A fire crew wearing breathing apparatus entered the property and rescued a kitten."

All occupants were accounted for and there were no reported injuries. But the family has been forced to seek alternative emergency accommodation this evening.

Crews used a hose-reel jet and a positive pressure ventilation fan to put the fire out.

The flat suffered extensive damage. The cause is yet to be established.