A man has denied starting a devastating fire in Maidstone town centre, causing damage totalling more than £5 million.

Adam Stajer, of Lower Stone Street, pleaded not guilty to arson within intent to endanger life and an alternative charge of arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered.

The 21-year-old Slovakian was arrested and charged after a blaze which destroyed The Works bookshop in Week Street, and ripped through adjoining shops.

Bearded Stajer, who has lived in the UK for two years, appeared at Maidstone Crown Court on Friday via video link from Elmley Prison, Sheppey. He was helped by an interpreter.

Members of his family travelled from Slovakia especially for the brief hearing.

Asked about the scale of the damage by Judge Julian Smith, prosecutor Donna East replied: “Into the millions of pounds. The figure I have for damage and consequential loss is in excess of £5 million.

“It was in the early hours of the morning. Locals had to be evacuated because of the toxic nature of the fumes. This was a large-scale fire. It took some time to subdue. It was in a pedestrianised area, although there was little pedestrian traffic.”

Miss East said there was also CCTV evidence. The fire was believed to have been started by rubbish outside the bookshop being set alight.

“It is unlikely to have been caused by a discarded cigarette,” she said. “The most likely cause is a naked flame. There was a lot of rubbish at the front of the shop.”

Stajer, who wore a red T-shirt and listened intently, will return to court for a further hearing on September 18. A trial date was set for November 30.

Danny Moore, defending, indicated a bail application would be made this week.

A large section of Week Street was cordoned off for several days after the fire but business has now returned to normal, nearly a month on.

Town centre officials revealed heat from the blaze, which at its height took 90 firefighters to tackle, was so intense it melted the door of a store on the opposite side of the street. Around £5 million of damage was caused.

Thomson travel agents and Hotter shoe shop suffered severe damage and Dorothy Perkins, Burton, M&S Women's Fashion and Thorntons were also affected until scaffolding was put in place.