Demolition of two abandoned homes in Ashford 'may be the only option' after a fire ripped through the buildings, leaving them unstable.

The blaze at Albert Villas happened on Monday afternoon and four fire engines, police and a height vehicle were called to the scene.

The blaze prompted a large emergency response

Kent Highways says Chart Road between Barrow Hill and Templer Way will remain closed until next week as the building has been deemed unsafe.

The alternative route is via Maidstone Road, Templer Way and Chart Road.

Nobody was injured and fire crews believe the blaze was started deliberately.

Firefighters left the scene at about 7.45pm and duty of care of the premises was left with Ashford Borough Council (ABC).

An ABC spokesman said: “Building control did attend with the fire service, and we are in the process of contacting the owners for them to make their building safe.

“Depending on future surveys, demolition may be the only option.

“To date, no notice regarding demolition seems to have been lodged with us and no application has been made to building control.”

However a sign with a demolition notice dated for Tuesday was attached to the building in March, submitted by developers Project Build One Ltd.

The buildings, which are close to Barrow Hill Veterinary Hospital, have been deteriorating for many years, with windows smashed and brickwork crumbling.

In recent months there have been repeated reports of people entering the semi-detached houses - and even of catapults being fired at passing cars from them.

In 2017, an outline planning application was approved for two new dwellings to the side of existing houses alongside new access and car parking.

However this has since expired.

One resident said this is the third fire they remember at the building in the past two years.

They added: “We have to call the police quite regularly because there is always trouble there.

“It’s dangerous and they just need to knock it down."

But Ian Rhodes, who has lived nearby for 15 years, says he would like to see the heritage restored.

The 71-year-old added: “I like to see properties saved in Ashford but it doesn’t seem to happen.

“There is a new building on the roundabout opposite St Teresa Church that used to be two pubs [the Prince Albert and Prince of Orange].

“A similar thing happened there, that was set on fire and that seems to stimulate demolition.”

Fourteen new flats have replaced the former Prince Albert Pub in New Street.

The pub had been empty since it closed in 2008 and became an eyesore at the entrance to the town centre after being ravaged by fire in 2014.

Plans for the five-storey block were approved in November 2017 and construction was completed last year.

Inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the Chart Road fire remain ongoing and anyone with information is urged to call police on 01843 222289, quoting reference 30-0804.