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A major fire broke out at a town centre club in the early hours of the morning.
The blaze erupted at Mu Mu in Week Street in Maidstone at around 2.30am and fire fighters spent hours battling it.
Maidstone's Mu Mu restaurant and bar on fire. Video: Nikki Waterman
Fifteen fire engines were sent to the scene, as well as a height vehicle and a command support unit.
At it's height, it's estimated around 60 firefighters were in attendance and members of the public were warned to avoid the area.
At 11.30am, the fire service said the blaze was under control. The number of fire trucks has been reduced throughout the day and as of 7.40pm this evening crews have declared an end to firefighting work and left the area.
Meanwhile, drone photos have revealed the devastating impact of the fire on the building.
And a residents and business helpline has been set up by Kent County Council (KCC) for anyone affected by the fire.
Dave Harris, firefighter and incident commander said a drone had been used to check the fire wasn't spreading to neighbouring properties.
Our reporter at the scene earlier this morning, said: "It looks like a severe fire.
"Week Street is closed off from around where Maidstone East is. The other part of cordon is at top of St Faiths Street.
"Two jets of water are fighting the fire, one directly at the bar from week street but a jet is being directed from Brewer Street to the back of the bar/nightclub."
Nikki Waterman, of nearby Brenchley House in Maidstone High Street, said she first became aware of the fire at Mu Mu shortly after it started.
She said: "It was kind of a little fire in what looked like the back garden and then, literally, from zero to 10, within seconds, it just erupted onto the roof."
Jamie Webster also from Brenchley House said he was one of the first to call the emergency services after seeing the fire when he went out for a cigarette.
The 26-year-old said: "I heard the fire alarm going off but at first I thought it was just the burglar alarm.
"Then two people went running in and the amount of smoke that came out was colossal.
"When they ran in, I went straight after them without thinking because the last thing we needed would be for them to go unconscious from the smoke.
"When we were all out I rang the fire brigade at 2.36am."
Kim Howard who owns Trash or Treasure in Maidstone, which is directly next to MuMu’s says it is lucky nobody was hurt and she has been forced to close today. She added it doesn’t look like there’s been any damage to her shop.
She said: “Everyone is safe but the building does adjoin ours and we will not be allowed in to access any damage until the fire brigade tell us.
“We think we escaped the fire but have to check for any heat or water or smoke damage. We won’t be open today and I have to wait to find out if there’s been any damage.”
Pickard & Beale funeral directors is just outside the fire cordon in Brewer Street nut is looking for somewhere else to work today.
An employee from the business said: “We can see all the firefighters working on the roof from our office.
We’re lucky we’re just outside the cordon so can carry on working, but we’re seeing if can carry on here today. It’s absolutely terrible and there’s been fire engines here all morning.”
Watch: Davis Harris, incident commander, speaks at the scene of the fire
Carla Archenoul, sales assistant at Pets Corner opposite MuMu, said: “We’re the only shop open in the cordon because we have a back entrance. Nobody can come in through the front but luckily we have a back door.
"We found out at about 8.30am what had happened and about the fire and it’s be so chaotic since then."
Mu Mu lies in East ward, represented by Cllr David Naghi.
Cllr Naghi said: "It's probably our best night club and restaurant and it's very sad it won't be there for when we get back to normal next week. People are saying on Facebook they had got there hen parties booked there for next and asking what they are going to do."
There has been a large outpouring of sympathy and support for Mu Mu owner of 29 years, Ciaran O'Quigley and his family.
Abba Tribute band, Abba Chique, said on their Facebook page: "ABBA Chique have been regularly performing here for the last six years, and are gutted to hear this sad news.
"This is especially awful considering the industry has suffered terribly during the last 15 months, and Mu Mu were finally due to reopen fully next week.
"Our thoughts are with Ciaran and his family, Chris AKA Madam Mu Mu and all the staff there."
Apollo Taxis, based in the town, said: "We have been as shocked as everybody else by the images this morning.
"After the terrible couple of years this industry has faced to have been hit by a fire like this just days before restrictions are lifted is just awful and truly beyond words.
"The O'Quigley family have supported us for the last 10 years at least and helped us to grow. They are genuine, hard working, generous and an asset to Maidstone."
The fire will have come as a huge blow for Mr O'Quigley, who last month spoke to KentOnline about the impact of the pandemic - and customers failing to turn up for bookings.
He said: "I'm just outraged really, that customers just think they book and not turn up, which has a massive knock-on effect.
"We have waiting lists because we're so busy, but we can't get those people in on the waiting list because of the original people who booked, we honour their booking, and they just don't show up."
Speaking at the scene of the fire, Davis Harris, area manager and incident commander said: "The fire was well developed on arrival. We requested our drone which provided an overview of the incident to ensure it wasn't spreading to neighbouring properties and used thermal imaging on that to help direct our fire fighting operations.
"We are now at the stage where we are reducing the number of fire appliances here, we are looking to damp down, to put out the hot spots and working with businesses to get them reading to open as soon as possible."
A fire service spokesman, giving an updated statement at 11.30am said: "Eight fire engines and a height vehicle remain at the scene of a fire in a nightclub and restaurant in Week Street, Maidstone.
"The fire is now under control, and previous advice for people living and working nearby to close windows and doors due to smoke, has been lifted.
"Members of the public are still being asked to avoid the area where possible."
In a further update issued at 7.40pm, it was declared all firefighting work had ceased.
"Crews have now left the area and an investigation to determine the cause of the incident is ongoing," it said.
"No casualties have been reported. Our thoughts are with the owner of the business at this difficult time."
Among the shops and restaurants not able to be reached this morning, because of the police cordon, are Tesco Express, German Doner kebab, Sunshine Tanning studio, McDonald's, Starburger, Adams Barbers, Grill 91, KFC, and Society Rooms.
At around 8.10am, the fire service said 12 fire engines and a height vehicle were on the scene.
Firefighters tackling the blaze from above. Video: Petra Kovacsova
A spokesman for Kent Police said: "Kent Police was called at 2.53am to a report of a fire at a commercial address in Week Street, Maidstone.
"Officers remain in attendance to assist Kent Fire and Rescue Service at the scene and also manage road closures. There are no reported injuries."
Those who need assistance has been advised to ring the KCC hotline on 0300 041 2424 for further information.
