Firefighters spent several hours battling a blaze which was threatening a number of homes.

Crews were called at 1.10pm to reports of a fire affecting multiple houses in Jubilee Crescent, Gravesend.

Firefighters tackle the blaze in Jubilee Crescent

There were nine fire engines, a height vehicle and the technical rescue team there for much of the afternoon, but at just after 5.30pm, Kent Fire and Rescue Service said: "Crews are making good progress in fighting the fire externally from the height vehicle and main jets and internally crews wearing breathing apparatus are tackling the fire with hose reel jets.

"This incident has been reduced down to five fire engines.

"No injuries have been reported at this incident."

People had been asked to avoid the area.

Black smoke from the blaze could be seen rising above the scene from all over Gravesend and beyond.

Pictures and footage showed the fire tearing through homes, and buildings left severely damaged.

One witness said the fire had spread rapidly between properties.

"There were 10 fire engines when I got there," they said. "A friend's son saw the smoke and then went outside and saw the fire.

"They told the kids to come over to the house ASAP and call the ambulance and fire brigade.

"The house went up within a matter of minutes. It just went up so quick it was unbelievable, and then started spreading from one house to another."

By 9pm the fire service confirmed all crews had left the scene.

It comes just weeks after another major blaze in the town, which saw a former pub go up in smoke.