Firefighters were called to a block of flats in Northfleet late last night after a blaze broke out in the rubbish chute.

A crew from Thames-side station attended Carl Ekman House in Tooley Street, just after 11.30am and were at the property for almost an hour.

The fire had been put out by the building's sprinkler system but firefighters had to spend time checking all 14 floors, using thermal imaging cameras, for any signs of further flames.

They also vented the area to get rid of smoke.

The same crew was called to a car fire in Freeman Road, Gravesend, at 7am this morning.

The blaze, which destroyed the Nissan which was parked on the street, is being treated as suspicious. Police are investigating.