Fire crews were called to put out a rubbish fire in the garden of a former Margate hotel this morning.

Thick smoke was seen billowing from the near derelict Arcadian on Fort Hill, next to the police station.

Two adjoining houses were evacuated and the road closed as six fire engines attended to put out the flames.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus searched the building but found no occupants although there are still two flats in use there.

Rubbish left in the garden at the back of the premises is thought to have caught alight from a discarded cigarette and smoke percolated through the building via an open door. Firefighters have logged the cause as accidental.

Traffic, already having to work its way through extensive roadworks outside the Arcadian, was brought to a standstill or diverted away from Fort Hill.

The Arcadian, together with the nearby Fort Hotel, was subject to a section 215 notice earlier this year, served by Thanet Council, to force the owners to smarten up the building. They have until September to comply.