Closing internal doors prevents spread of fire

The fire alarms sounded in Mr Burley's house at 06.55GMT on 17 December

A man whose kitchen was on fire saved himself by closing internal doors, Kent Fire and Rescue Service have said.

Jack Burley, of Gloucester Road, Gravesend, woke up to the sound of fire alarms in his house at 06.55GMT on Sunday.

The father-of-two limited the spread of the flames by having his internal doors shut overnight, after the fire started in his kitchen, the fire service said.

Mr Burley said: "When I saw the black smoke it was so toxic that it took my breath away."

Closing the internal doors in a house can sometimes stop the fire for up to 30 minutes

At the time of the fire, Mr Burley was the only person in the house.

Two fire crews were sent to the blaze.

The 53-year-old was passed to paramedics as a precaution after inhaling smoke, the fire service said.

Dave Harris, from Kent Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Fires can start at any time, but you can help to keep you and your loved ones safe by testing your smoke alarms regularly, and closing internal doors before you go out or go to sleep."

Follow BBC South East on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [e-mail].