ABOUT 80 firefighters battled a huge blaze that ripped through a warehouse thought to contain gas cylinders and asbestos containers.

As the flames burst through the roof of the building, in Manor Way Business Park, Swanscombe, last night people living nearby were warned to keep their windows and doors closed.

Thick black smoke filled the air in London Road, on Tuesday night, as 12 pumps were scrambled to help tackle the fire.

It was thought to have started at a paper recycling yard before spreading to a nearby demolition firm. The cause of the fire is yet unknown.

The engines from Thames-side, Swanscombe, Dartford, Strood, Hoo, Halling, Medway and London, plus additional support vehicles were called to the scene at 5.45pm.

A tanker from Larkfield, containing 14,500 litres of water, also had to be drafted in.

No one is thought to have been injured in the blaze.

Manager at Sivyer Waste Paper Tom Gooda, 31, said none of the three staff members were inside the building at the time of the fire, adding: “I was the last one out of the building and I locked up.”

Fire officers, speaking exclusively to the Messenger, said residents had been told to keep their windows and doors closed after it was revealed there may have been asbestos containers in the demolition building.

Station officer Liam Hudson, from Thames-side, said the 80x40m building contained a number of gas cylinders and the area had been evacuated.