FIREFIGHTERS are today resuming their search for a man missing after a building collapsed in Canterbury late last night following a fire.

The former Old Locomotive pub in Station Road West collapsed into the street "like a pack of cards," said fire brigade Divisional Officer Brian Wash. Earlier in the evening a former landlord of the pub was in the building with another man.

He fled as the fire started and was taken to hospital but last night the other man was still missing. There were reports they had gone to the former pub because squatters had been staying there.

The fire started at 9.30pm and 50 firefighters from all over east Kent were called to the scene. Shortly after midnight the building collapsed and there was a roll call of firefighters to make sure all were safe.

They were forced to halt their search because the remains of the building were too unsafe.

Buildings either side of the Old Locomotive were saved from damage but a number of roads in the area have been closed.