DETECTIVES are investigating a chain of events which resulted in damage estimated at about £10,000 being caused to buildings at Queenborough steel rolling mill.

A car rolled through the perimeter fence of the mill owned by Istil just before midnight on Saturday.

Police spokeswoman Sally Farrell said the occupants ran off but John Tucker, a maintenance worker at the mill, said they came back later and set fire to the vehicle, causing damage to the neighbouring single-storey canteen. A health and safety office was also damaged.

Firefighters from Queenborough and Sheerness spent two hours putting out the blaze. They used breathing apparatus to fight the fire which severely damaged 25 per cent of the roof timbers. It also damaged the canteen’s heating system and water tanks.

The canteen and health and safety room were currently out of use. Anyone with information is asked to contact Swale police on 01795 477055 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.