A man has killed himself after throwing petrol bombs at an immigration centre in Dover.

The horrific scenes were witnessed by a Reuters news agency photographer, with video of flames lapping at hoardings around the site posted online.

The man was white, in a striped top and drove up to the centre in a white SEAT sports utility vehicle, the witness said.

He is said to have hanged himself moments later, with police arriving at the scene almost immediately.

An Army bomb disposal team has been in attendance and are said to have been examining devices thrown at the wall of the port's Western Jet Foil facility, where asylum seekers are brought ashore before being taken to Manston Airport for processing.

The witness said he threw three petrol bombs, with other reports saying fireworks were attached.

The nearby Dover South Services petrol station in Limekiln Street, half a mile from the Western Jet Foil, has been sealed off by police and a bomb disposal team are there.

They have been seen examining a white SEAT, believed to be the car involved in the incident, which has been partially covered with a blue plastic sheet.

Kent Police confirmed it was called at 11.22am to The Viaduct in Dover.

A spokesman said: "Officers established that two to three incendiary devices had been thrown into a Home Office immigration premises."

The force said a minor injury was caused to a third party, it said the suspect has been identified.

"Enquires remain ongoing," a spokesman confirmed.

A witness said: "I heard what I thought was cannons going off and thought it must have been an event.

"We paused the TV to hear. There were at least six or seven.

“To think it was actually explosions that we heard is just so upsetting. I really hope no one is hurt.”

Paramedics and fire crews are at the scene.

Dover and Deal MP Natalie Elphicke tweeted: "I am deeply shocked by the incident in Dover today. I have spoken to the immigration minister about the situation. My thoughts are with everyone involved."

The Home Office has been approached for comment.

A Kent Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said crews were called to an incident involving fire on Channel View Road, Dover at 11.24am this morning.

He added: "Crews put out the fire at the scene. The KFRS drone has also been flown as part of the operational response to this incident.

"Kent Fire and Rescue Service continues to work alongside partner agencies at this ongoing incident."