Disused food factory fire prompts evacuation

Around 40 firefighters have tackled a blaze at a disused food factory on an industrial estate in Kent.

Fire crews were called to the blaze at the 75m x 40m building on the Beaver Industrial Estate in Ashford at around 7.20 pm on Friday 3 September. Neighbouring businesses were evacuated as a precaution due to the large amount of smoke.

The fire was under control by around 11.00pm and operations were scaled down accordingly. Crews remained on the scene overnight to monitor for hotspots and to continue damping down.

The cause of the fire is being investigated.