AN INVESTIGATION is under way after a former a clifftop hotel at Broadstairs caught fire. A third of the disused Castle Keep at Kingsgate was damaged when flames swept through the first and second floors, destroying the roof. Kent fire brigade have logged the cause as "suspicious".

More than 60 firefighters from across east Kent battled for four hours to control the blaze that had broken out at 9.30pm on Saturday. Some of the crews wearing breathing sets managed to force their way into the building to prevent fire from travelling throughout the large semi-derelict building.

Divisional officer Brian Bamford, who led the operation, said: “The fire was through the roof when we arrived but good work by the crews meant we restricted damage to about 35 per cent of the building. The stairs were burnt through so access was difficult but the crews did a good job. Water supplies in the area were also a problem so water was taken from a swimming pool. This was refilled from our water unit to maintain a supply for fire fighting.”