A MAIN shopping street was cordoned off as firefighters searched a smoke-filled, disused pub known as a haunt for tramps.

Fire crews were called to The Vic, in Sandling Road at the top of Week Street, Maidstone, after members of the public spotted smoke streaming from windows at about 4pm on Tuesday.

They broke down a boarded up door and smashed an upstairs window to get into the building and search.

Crew manager Joe Luque, from Green Watch, Larkfield fire station, said 25 firefighters from Maidstone and Larkfield went to the incident.

He said: "The building we know is a refuge for homeless people. A search was made because it was unknown if anyone was in there.

"We found two seats on fire and they were both extinguished."

The street was re-opened at 5.30pm. No one was hurt.