Fire-fighters wearing breathing apparatus tackled a blaze at a shop in Dover this evening.

The alarm was raised at Castle Computers in London Road just before 6pm, some 15 minutes after the owner had locked up for the night.

An electrical fault in a media player on the counter is believed to have caused the fire which set off the smoke alarm.

Neighbours immediately dialled 999 and then saw thick black smoke coming from the shop. The owner returned to the scene and opened up the shop for the fire crews.

Four fire-fighters wearing breathing apparatus went in and put the fire out, preventing it from spreading to adjoining shops. There was considerable smoke damage.

A spokesman for the fire service said the neighbours' quick reaction had saved the building from being more severely damaged.