Firefighters rushed to a home in Herne Bay yesterday to tackle a kitchen blaze which was sparked by cooking chips.

Crews from and Herne Bay and Whitstable attended the two-storey terraced home in East Street just after 3pm.

The blaze started as a man was cooking a meal of chips. The chip pan caught alight and spread to other areas in the kitchen.

He phoned 999 after trying to douse the flames which led firefighters to warn people to not attempt tackling fires.

Herne Bay watch manager John James said: “The man’s chip pan caught light and he tried to tackle it himself but the fire spread to the extractor fan and units.

"At that point he decided to get out and call 999, fortunately he was not hurt.

"We wore breathing apparatus to enter the smoke filled property and a hose reel jet to extinguish the fire.

"This resident was extremely lucky and the incident serves as a reminder to people that they should not attempt to tackle the blaze themselves.

"We also ask again that they ditch the chip pan if possible, in favour of safer ways of cooking."

Firefighters say his home was left with some fire damage.