FIRE damaged a second floor flat right next to Dover Fire Station this afternoon. The fire crews were out in another part of the town when the blaze was reported at Ladywell, Dover, although it is thought it had probably been smouldering for some time.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus had to go into the building to tackle the blaze because of the dense heat and smoke.

It is believed the fire started in items stacked outside the door to the flat, which is above a hairdressing salon, but the cause is being investigated.