A huge blaze that broke out at an industrial park spread from a pile of rubbish, the fire brigade has confirmed.

The fire at global freight company DFDS Logistics in Canal Road in Gravesend started on Friday night and took firefighters eight hours to extinguish.

A spokesman for Kent Fire and Rescue said: “It’s believed the fire was started deliberately after a pile of rubbish caught fire and spread to a lorry trailer.”

The blaze at the industrial yard which housed a number of lorries, began at around 9.30pm and took six fire engines until 5am the next morning to put out.

A drone was used to help fight the flames as well as a bulk water carrier and a technical rescue unit.

Thick black smoke could still be seen for miles around and people living nearby were urged to keep doors and windows closed.

One witness said: “There was thick, thick black smoke after one bang, which sounded like an explosion. It’s a massive fire.”

A police spokesman said the force is not investigating the blaze.