FIREFIGHTERS from eight Kent stations tackled a large blaze at Chattenden Barracks near Rochester last night (Sam Lennon writes).

Crews surrounded the derelict canteen building and the fire caused a huge orange glow in the sky.

A total of 11 appliances were needed at the height of the blaze and crews stopped the flames spreading through a corridor to an adjoining building.

The blaze broke out at about 6pm last night and a group of firefighters were still at the site at Kitchener Road today to prevent re-ignitions.

Strood fire station sub-office Lawrence Pater said: "This was a huge fire that totally destroyed the building. It took us four hours to bring it under control."

At one stage firefighters wearing breathing apparatus went inside to stop the fire travelling through a corridor and reaching an adjoining two-storey building.

Chattenden Barracks is largely disused and the cause of the fire is not yet known.

Army spokesman Captain Edward Whisham said: "The fire was in part of a former army camp. "The building was derelict, there was nobody inside and no lives were in danger.

"It is too early to say how the fire started but fire investigators will determine the cause. The area is regularly patrolled and MOD personnel working nearby alerted us to the fire."