A house fire in Tunbridge wells is believed to have started accidentally after a basket of kindling had been set alight by ember from ash whilst clearing a wood burner.

Due to brick and stone construction the fire did not spread.

Two fire engines were sent to the house at Bird in Hand Street, Groombridge, where firefighters wearing breathing apparatus extinguished the fire using a hose reel jet, before using a high-pressured fan to clear the home of smoke. 

No injuries have been reported.

Remember as well as having your chimney regularly swept, don’t forget wood burning stoves need an annual service too. When using real fires or wood burning stoves: 

• have wood burning stoves serviced every year 
• avoid overloading the grate or building fires too high. 
• dispose of ash safely and appropriately. 
• have a carbon monoxide alarm in the area and be aware of the risks of carbon monoxide poisoning 
• never leave an open fire unattended and ensure the door of a wood burning stove is closed if you wish to temporarily leave the room. 
• always ensure ash is cold before disposing of it.