A fire ripped through an Indian takeaway shop in Dartford last night.

Firefighters were called to Haldi Indian Takeaway in Temple Hill Square just before midnight after a caller reported all the lights had gone off and smoke could be seen coming from the roof.

Three fire engines were sent to deal with the blaze, which saw power temporarily cut from both the ground floor shops and the flats above.

Crews had to force their way in after failing to make contact with the owner.

A spokesman for Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) said: "Two fire engines from Dartford were immediately sent to the property, arriving within six minutes of receiving the 999 call.

"A third fire engine was also sent to assist at the three-storey building, which comprised shops on the ground floor and flats on the floors above.

"After forcing entry into the property the breathing apparatus team were able to access the fire, which is believed to have started accidentally in an electrical fault in the mains fuse box in a store room." - KFRS.

"After forcing entry into the property the breathing apparatus team were able to access the fire, which is believed to have started accidentally in an electrical fault in the mains fuse box in a store room.

"Once inside the building crews used a hose reel to put the fire out and a positive pressure ventilation fan to clear smoke and fumes from the building. UK Power were also in attendance and isolated the power supply to the building.

"The fire caused fire, heat and smoke damage to the ground floor of the property."

A firefighter on the scene said the heat was substantial enough to have melted the light fittings in the main reception area, even though the fire itself did not reach it.

One resident from a neighboring flat said: "There was quite a lot of smoke and the power went off in my flat at about 2am, it didn't come back on until about 4am."

Another nearby resident also lost power and saw people evacuating the building.

"We had the power cut and then saw the fire engines coming, so we ran outside and could smell the fire.

"People were shouting 'fire, fire, fire' and there was a lot of smoke. I thought somebody would have been seriously injured."

Nobody was injured in the incident and UK Power stayed late into the night to restore power to the other flats and shops.