The festive decorations were hung on the shed attached to the property in Church Lane in Stourmouth.

Kent Fire and Rescue said they believed the lights were left on for 24 hours and the control box overheated setting fire to the shelf it was on.

The blaze spread to the house causing smoke and heat damage but crews from Thanet, Ramsgate and Wingham stopped the fire spreading to the roof.

'Dry leaves'

Peter Davies, Thanet station commander, said: "There was significant damage to the property and the shed was destroyed but it could have been much worse.

"If the fire had spread to the roof it could have also ignited the thatched roof of the property next door which would have been disastrous.

"The Christmas lights were plugged in to the outside shed and had been left on all day and night.

"On investigation, there is a significant chance the fire started from the lights' control box which overheated and set fire to the dry leaves and shelf on which it lay."

Fire crews were sent to tackle the fire on Tuesday morning.