Fire crews tackle blaze in Dover office
block

by Graham Tutthill

gtutthill@thekmgroup.co.uk

Police are investigating the cause of a fire which broke out in
an empty office block in Dover on Sunday evening.

Fire crews from all over East Kent were at the scene at
Burlington House, Townwall Street, for several hours after the
building became smoke-logged. More than 60 fire-fighters were
called to the incident, and police and paramdeics also
attended.

The alarm was raised just before 7pm when smoke was seen coming
from various parts of Burlington House at Townwall Street. Several
windows had been broken and flames were seen inside.

Fire-fighters wearing breathing apparatus went in to search the
12 floors of the building to make sure that no-one was trapped
inside.

Although the office block is not used - it is due to
be demolished as part of the Dover Town Investment Zone
re-development - it has been subject to break-ins and
vandalism.

Police closed off one carriageway of Townwall Street while fire
crews tackled the blaze, and people in buildings below the office
block were evacuated.

This included the Light of India restaurant where members of a
Dover martial arts club had just settled down to a meal after
attending a competition in Eastbourne. They took their meals
outside and finished them there.

Police said the cause of the fire was believed to be
suspicious.