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Video: The aftermath of the fire.

by Keyan Milanian

A fire at the Casino Rooms nightclub in Rochester has destroyed part of the roof.

The blaze, which was reported to Kent Fire and Rescue Service at about 11.30am Monday, was extinguished with the help of 10 pumps and other specialist vehicles from across Kent as crowds from the annual Sweeps weekend watched.

Crews from Maidstone, Larkfield, Sittingbourne, Thames-side, Teynham and Cliffe joined pumps from Hoo, Chatham, Gillingham and Medway.

Police cordoned off Corporation Street at the junction of Gas House Road and the High Street to allow crews to deal with the fire, which is believed to have started between the ground floor and first floor, above the entrance to the building.

The area around the car park, opposite the Casino Rooms, was also cordoned off.

Nobody was injured in the fire but considerable damage was done to the roof of the building in Blue Boar Lane, Rochester.

The cause is still being investigated - but it is believed it may have been caused by an electrical fault.

Ross Hutchins, business manager for the Aaron P Stone group said the fire was discovered by cleaners.

Chris Colgan, the incident commander for Kent Fire and Rescue Service said the quick-thinking and actions of the cleaning staff, the police, and the initial crews on the scene helped avoid a much bigger incident.

He said: "The first crews attending did a tremendous job, they got in there and were able to contain the fire before it spread to the rest of the building."

He praised the cleaners who discovered the fire. "They did the right things, they didn't try and tackle the fire," he added.

Fans were used to clear smoke from the property and a turn table ladder was used to give crews better access to the roof.

The cordon was lifted by the police at about 2pm.

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