Fire crews tackle blaze
in Dover office block

Fire crews from all over East Kent have tackled a blaze
overnight at an empty office block in Dover.

The alarm was raised when smoke was seen coming from various
parts of Burlington House at Townwall Street. Several windows had
been broken and flames were seen inside.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus went in to search the
various floors to make sure that no-one was trapped inside.

Although the multi-storey building is not used - it is due to be
demolished as part of the Dover Town Investment Zone re-development
- it has been subject to break-ins and vandalism.

Police closed off one carriageway of Townwall Street while fire
crews tackled the blaze, and people in buildings below the office
block were evacuated.

This included the Light of India restaurant where members of a
Dover martial arts club had just settled down to a meal after
attending a competition in Eastbourne. They took their meals
outside and finished them there.

The cause of the fire is being investigated.