A period home under renovation in Sturry was badly damaged by fire on Thursday night.

Firefighters were called to the unoccupied, semi-detached cottage in Fordwich Road, Sturry, at about 10.45pm after flames were seen coming from the roof.

Two crews from Canterbury and one from Sturry attended and the road was closed while they tackled the blaze.

Watch manager Sheridan Hudson-Peacock said: “We had to evacuate the people living next door because there some concerns the fire could spread.

“But we managed to contain it although the upper floor of the house and the roof were badly.

"We think the cause was connected to some work being done that day which involved soldering pipes.”

Firefighters left the scene at about 1am after the neighbours had been allowed to return to their home.