An elderly woman and a dog have been treated for breathing in too much smoke after a fire broke out in a flat.

Fire crews were sent to Packers Lane, Ramsgate just before 10pm last night after neighbours heard smoke alarms sounding in a ground floor flat.

It is believed to have started after something had been inadvertently left on the cooker hob, causing it to smoulder.

Two fire engines were sent to the scene and firefighters carried out a thermal image scan of the property, before forcing entry into the flat.

An elderly woman was led to safety and given oxygen therapy before being passed into the care of the ambulance service.

A pet oxygen mask was also used on her dog, as they had both inhaled smoke.