FIREFIGHTERS today sealed off part of Maidstone town centre and evacuated customers and staff after a basement blaze was discovered in a High Street bank.

Crews wearing breathing apparatus were sent in amid fears the poorly ventilated space would help the fire take hold, placing surrounding buildings at risk.

The drama unfolded at around 11am after staff and customers at the HSBC bank noticed the smell of smoke. Within minutes two fire-engines and a height vehicle from Maidstone aided by another crew from Medway were on the scene and the building evacuated.

The neighbouring Oyster Shop gift shop was also sealed off while investigations into the cause of the blaze were carried out.

Sub-officer Alan Stark, leading officer at the scene, said that while the fire was small its location had increased the risk to the bank and surrounding buildings.

He stressed; “The basement is very difficult to access and because of the lack of ventilation the build up of smoke was very intense. The whole of the building was evacuated and surrounding buildings checked to ensure they remained unaffected by the fire.”