Firefighters have tackled a blaze that broke out at a popular fish and chip shop.

Police and three fire engines rushed to scene at Beltinge Fish Bar in Reculver Road, Herne Bay, at about 7.10pm last night.

Eyewitness Rebecca Butler had parked outside, and was buying food for herself and her daughters when the fire broke out.

"I heard shouts and within a minute black smoke and then flames," she said. "It was so hot inside the glass burst out of one of the windows.

"The workers tried desperately to stop it, but the room caught fire very quickly and another man begged them to come out in case it exploded."

Fire crews kitted out in breathing apparatus used jets of water and a fog spike to put out the fire.

The blaze has prompted an outpouring of heartfelt messages from people across Herne Bay.

Mo Doyle wrote: "That’s awful hope family are okay and they can get themselves up and running again soon!"

Graeme de Preux added: "Such a shame. Lovely people in there."

A fundraiser has now been launched to help support the owners of the fish bar as they deal with the destruction caused by the fire, and while insurance is sorted.

Read more: All the latest news from Herne Bay