A building site blaze has been smoldering away for 11 days pumping smoke into the homes of nearby families.

The fire continued to puff away despite multiple attempts by firefighters to extinguish it over the one and a half week period.

Flames grew after a tree surgeon burnt away green waste left on the site in East Milton Road next to Denton Fish Bar, according to resident John Colfer.

Residents have complained that the smokey smell has been infiltrating their houses causing them to cough and stinking out their homes.

The seemingly everlasting bonfire was lit on Monday, September 8 as part of work to clear the land ready for the construction of a new Morrisons Local.

Disgruntled resident Penny Lloyd, who lives in Elliot Street with her 89-year-old mother, said: “This is just unnecessary. I have lived here all my life. All we are asking for is a bit of consideration.

“When we first questioned the developers about it they just stood there laughing.

“My mother is nearly 90 and she was here on her own when it started and was coughing."

Her mother Vera, a retired gas mask manufacturer, said: “When the fire first started the flames were so high. I couldn’t see the top of the trees the smoke was that thick.

“I can’t open the windows because of the smell. It has been unbelievable it could still be alight after so long.”

Kent Fire and Rescue attended the scene on at least three occasions in attempt to put out the fire.

Despite multiple attempts to blast the blaze with water, smoke didn’t stop filling the air until September 18 when developers came and dug over the flames.

The fire was buried deep underground and was kept alight by logs and other nearby flammable material which kept catching alight, according to Kent Fire and Rescue.

John Colfer, who has been campaigning against the development, also complained about a smell of burning plastic in the air.

Gravesham Borough Council investigated the incident and deemed it to be not harmful to residents.