These are the dramatic pictures that show the extent of a huge blaze in Dartford as fire crews battle three separate fires near the town on the hottest day of the year.

Twelve fire engines were sent to a fire on the A2 near Dartford Heath and another 18 went to a huge field fire on a housing development near the Dartford Crossing.

The wildfire by the side of the A2 in Dartford. Footage: Jacob Bolton

Dramatic footage has been captured of the blaze that confronted fire crews at Dartford Heath.

Twelve fire engines were at the scene, and crews used hose reel jets and main jets to tackle the blaze, involving areas of undergrowth and trees. By 8.40pm, the fire service said the response had been scaled down to four fire engines.

No casualties have been reported and crews were also on the A2 near the M25 battling the blaze, but traffic was still moving.

People driving on the A2 and other nearby roads are still being advised to take extra care, due to smoke in the area.

Videos circulating online show flames coming from the side of the A2 before the turn-off for Old Bexley Lane.

The coastbound carriageway was partially blocked due to the fire and cameras showed traffic was being released in bursts due to smoke across the carriageway.

Sue Pelling was travelling down the A2 with her husband earlier when they saw the fire ahead.

"We were driving back home to Essex and we suddenly saw these clouds of black smoke," said Sue, a freelance yachting journalist. "We realised it was a big fire. It was massive, and as we got closer we could see the flames. We thought 'my goodness', it was terrible.

"Thankfully it must have been a southwesterly wind, because it was blowing away from the A2. It didn't look as if it had been going that long, because there was no fire crew there – although my husband thought he saw one on the bridge.

"It was raging. You could see the flames but we just kept going.

"As we drove out of the tunnel there was another fire on the horizon towards London, and then one on the A13. It was quite scary.

"The one by the A2 was horrible because it was quite a long stretch – perhaps about 200 metres – and it was raging."

At 5.20pm, a fire service spokesman said: "Firefighters continue to make good progress at a fire on Dartford Heath.

"The number of fire engines will be reducing shortly, and have been using hose reel jets and main jets to extinguish the flames.

"People driving on the A2 and other nearby roads are still being advised to take extra care, due to smoke drifting across from the incident."

A witness on the A2 added: "The fire now appears to be out and all that remains are two fire engines and two police cars blocking the slip road for Old Bexley Lane.

"The earth is completely scorched along the banks and the foliage gone."

At 8.40pm, it said: "Good progress is being made at the Dartford Heath fire near Rochester Way and the A2, and the incident has been scaled down to four fire engines.

"Firefighters are now putting a plan in place to prevent fire spread overnight. Anyone driving on the A2 and other nearby roads should extra care, due to smoke impacting visibility."

A large fire has broken out on the Bridge Estate in Dartford

Meanwhile, huge plumes of smoke could be seen coming from the Bridge Estate, off Bob Dunn Way, shortly before noon.

A height vehicle was also been sent to the scene near Durrell Dene, Joyce Green.

Crews remain at the grass fire near Durrell Dene, in Joyce Green, Dartford.

Following a night of containing the blaze and maintaining a watching brief, the number of fire engines and resources on scene is now increasing again as firefighters continue to tackle the fire today and damp down hotspots.

Smoke from the fire is now minimal, and people living and working nearby are no longer advised to keep windows and doors closed.

It's understood the fire broke out near the Spirits Rest Dartford Horse & Animal Sanctuary.

The owner of the stables, Christine Bates posted: "We may need horse boxes later – Spirits Rest is on fire.

"Fire brigade trying to hold back fire from stables."

They later thanked people for their response.

An update issued by fire crews shortly before 3pm said: "People who live or work in the affected area are advised to close their windows and doors as a precaution, due to smoke coming from fire.

"Please continue to share these updates with any loved ones in the affected area, who might not have access to the internet or social media. Thank you."

At 5.20pm, it said: "Steady progress is being made at the scene of a grass fire near Durrell Dene, in Joyce Green, Dartford.

"Crews are continuing to tackle the blaze, which broke out on marshlands earlier today. No injuries have been reported and no residential buildings have been affected.

"The heat was intense. I could see the smoke in the distance. I was forced to turn back."

"Members of KFRS’ volunteer response team are remaining at the site to provide welfare and support.

"People who live or work in the affected area are still advised to close their windows and doors as a precaution, due to smoke coming from fire.

"Drivers travelling on the surrounding roads are also asked to take extra care, as the smoke may impact visibility."

At 9pm, it said: "The grass fire near Durrell Dene in Joyce Green, Dartford is ongoing but is being scaled down to six fire engines overnight.

"People living in the surrounding area continue to be advised to close windows and doors if smoke is in the air, and anyone driving on nearby roads should take extra care due to smoke impacting visibility."

Westgate Road resident Paul Williams nipped out on his motorbike when he stumbled across two fires within an hour.

The 58-year-old handyman said: "The heat was intense. I could see the smoke in the distance. I was forced to turn back.

"The one near the Crossing looked quite significant. The wind direction was making it spread quite quickly. It was certainly an eventful ride."

Earlier today two fire engines were also sent to a crop field fire on Shirehall Road in Hawley shortly before 12.30pm.

Crews arrived to around one hectare of standing corn alight and firefighters used hose reel jets to extinguish the blaze.

No casualties were reported during that blaze and the cause is believed to be accidental.

More as we get it.