New pictures have revealed the devastation caused when fire swept over marshes during the heatwave.

Images captured by amateur photographer Matt Thomas also show how the historic Wells Firework Factory site has been wiped out by last month's blaze in Dartford, its derelict buildings now reduced to piles of debris.

Multiple fires broke out on July 19, as much of the country experienced record-breaking temperatures, with two of the worst hitting Dartford Heath and Dartford Marshes.

Matt, 27, ventured onto the marshes to capture the aftermath of the blaze, and said the site had suffered even more fire damage than Dartford Heath.

"The damage here is simply beyond comprehension," said Matt, who works as a computer-aided design technician. "The area burnt is far larger than that on the Heath and stretches approximately five kilometres from just north of Bob Dunn Way and University Way, all the way northward past the river defence to the bank of the River Thames.

"Width wise, it's likely greater, stretching from the eastern bank of the River Darent all the way to just outside the Bridge Estate to the east. The most tragic fact of all is that this is an area of marshlands – wetlands – a place where fire shouldn't even be possible. And yet it was. And whilst the green is beginning to reappear amongst the black in a few places, several areas are still smouldering nearly two weeks after.

"Furthermore, for those familiar with the area, though there wasn't much left of the old Wells Fireworks Factory before the fire, there's virtually nothing left at all now, with what few buildings were still standing now reduced to nothing more than a few crumpled heaps of corrugated roof sheets and toppled brickwork."

Mr Thomas said he believed the derelict factory site had previously remained untouched, due to a large amount of asbestos in its buildings.

Last year Kent Online provided an insight into the site, with a collection of images compiled by urban explorers.

The marsh-based factory is thought to have been built in the 1950s, although the company itself dates back to 1837, when it was launched by lighterman Joseph Wells.

The company went onto become one of the UK's leading manufacturers, making pyrotechnics for the military during the Second World War,.

During its heyday between the 1950s and 1970s, it went on to produce fireworks for major events such as royal regattas, Disneyland and even the Winter Olympics.

The factory at one time employed more than 150 people, and consisted of a series of huts, each standing separately to prevent – in what now seems an irony – the spread of a potential fire.

A Dartford council spokesman said: “Our parks team were happy to assist KFRS with dealing with these fires and will continue to assist wherever it is safe to do so.

“Council officers are now assessing the area to see what can be done to restore the marshland’s habitat, and to try to ensure there is not a repeat of recent events whilst simultaneously nurturing the local environment.”