A GRAVESEND woman’s home escaped serious damage when a neighbour was alerted to flames by a smoke alarm sounding.

Two fire engines were sent to the maisonette, in St Dunstans Drive, just before noon yesterday (January 11).

Firefighters and had to force their way into the smoke-logged property.

Thames-side crew manager Dave Aylwin, who attended the incident, said: “Once inside we discovered that a wooden knife block had been left on the cooker.

"It is believed that the resident had brushed past and accidentally turned the knob on before leaving her home."

He added: "Thanks to working smoke alarms in the property, a neighbour was alerted and called 999.

"This enabled our crews to get to the fire quickly, contain it and prevent it from spreading, resulting in minimal damage.

"However, without the working smoke alarms fitted in her home, the fire could have gone undetected and had far more serious consequences.”

“Fire breaks out when you least expect it and this incident is a timely reminder to other residents that cookers should only be used for cooking and not as additional storage space.”

Crews used a positive pressure ventilation fan to clear the property of smoke and fumes.

For more fire safety advice call Kent Fire and Rescue Service for free on 0800 923 7000 or visit kent.fire-uk.org