Picture: Elizabeth Hare

An investigation is underway into a fire which destroyed a former restaurant in Hythe early on Sunday.

Firefighters were called to Kai’s restaurant in Red Lion Square at 8am after being alerted by the police.

Emergency services received a number of calls and six fire pumps from Hythe, Folkestone, Ashford and Dymchurch attended plus a height vehicle.

Fire crews battled to successfully stop the flames from spreading to neighbouring properties.

The single-storey building which had been empty for some time was destroyed and demoliton of the remains started on Monday after they were declared unsafe.

Fire crews left at 11am.

Fire investigators and police scenes of crime officers have been at the scene.
Eyewitness Elizabeth Hare, from Lympne, was at the boot fair on Hythe Green with her parents, Janice and Stephen Hare, when they saw the smoke.

“We went round to have a look and saw the building on fire,” said Elizabeth, who took the picture above.

“There was a police car there and then the fire engines arrived. There were quite a few people gathering to watch.”