Around 40 firefighters used more than 100,000 litres of water to put out a huge industrial fire.

Firefighters remain at the scene of a major blaze at a car repair workshop in the Nuralite Industrial Estate in Canal Road, Higham.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service was called at 1.15am this morning, and eight fire engines were initially sent to the scene.

VIDEO: Fire crews remain at the scene.

Station manager at Thames-side, Dave Harris, said: “It was already a well developed fire when we arrived. It took us until about 6am to bring it under control. There was a huge amount of structural damage and collapses. Fortunately, the building was empty and nobody was hurt.

“The crews did very well. We managed to prevent the fire spreading to any of the other neighbouring businesses and properties, which was the main concern.”

At around 9am, three crews were still hunting for hotspots in the wreckage to make sure it was fully extinguished.

They used a height vehicle to check the area from above.

The fire destroyed four business units, including N E Lane Motor Services.

As well as the fire engines, there was also a water tanker, which had to be refilled at a hydrant in Higham village. The fire service worked alongside Southern Water to find the best suited hydrant in the area.

Firefighters had to be wearing breathing apparatus and used main jets, a compressed air foam system, ground monitors and cold cut firefighting systems.

A support unit, with volunteers, was also on the scene to provide water to the firemen as they worked.

Residents of the immediate area and those in Gravesend and Chalk were urged to keep windows and doors closed due to the smoke that the fire was producing.

LEJ Properties Ltd manages the estate, with directors Collette Lee, Barry Elvidge and Howard Jones, and has been approached for a comment.

The fire is thought to have started accidentally.