Firefighters in Kent have issued a safety warning after a DIY job gone wrong caused a house fire in Greenhithe.

Kent Fire and Rescue service was called to a house in Park Cliff Road on Saturday after a small fire broke out.

The occupants, who were varnishing their staircase at the time, had used linseed oil-soaked paper towels to carry out the work.

After using the towels, they put them in a bin bag and left them next to the kitchen bin.

The towels then appeared to self-combust in the bag, causing a fire in the kitchen.

Luckily, the occupants managed to put out the fire themselves before emergency services arrived.

When firefighters inspected the house, they found the linseed oil bottle used to soak the towels - which warned the oil had the potential to self-combust if not disposed of properly.

Emergency services made sure smoke alarms were properly fitted in the house after the tiled floor and wall were damaged by heat.

The fire service is alerting homeowners to read labels carefully before use to reduce the risk of an incident like this.

Leanne McMahon, community safety manager for Kent Fire and Rescue Service, said: "It's so important to read the instructions and follow manufacturer's guidelines for any DIY product or chemical fully before you get started.

"No matter how skilled or experienced you are, it's best to check the label to make sure you're able to get the job done well and safely."