A BUILDING due for demolition was almost destroyed prematurely after fire broke out.

Contractors working to clear the site in Harwich Street had to call Whitstable firefighters after rubbish they were burning on Saturday morning spread to wooden pallets.

Two of the workers needed oxygen from paramedics but did not require hospital treatment and no one else was hurt. Nearby homes were not affected.

The pallets were left over from when the building was used as a screen printers and were soaked in flammable materials.

Leading firefighter Nick Salt said crews were quickly on the scene. He said: “Luckily it was just around the corner and it happened during the day time so we were there within minutes.

“If it had happened during the evening it could have been a lot worse. The fire did spread to the building but we managed to save it. It is due to be redeveloped but it could have been dangerous if we had let the fire go unchecked.”

Mr Salt said: “We had the fire under control within 10 or 15 minutes but we had to spend a couple of hours there making it safe.

“We would remind people who plan to burn off rubbish to do so well away from any buildings, at least five metres, and to have an extinguisher or hose nearby just in case.”