Fire crews were called to a Maidstone charity shop last night after old batteries sparked a blaze.

Two engines attended the incident at the RSPCA in Wheeler Street just before 9pm and were confronted with smoke billowing from the back of the building.

The fire had engulfed a table used to sort items and spread to part of the floor in the first-floor storage room.

Crews using breathing apparatus, a hose reel jet and ventilation fan extinguished the flames and left the scene at 9.20pm.

Today volunteers from the shop described the fire, which came just months after a refurbishment, as "heartbreaking".

It means the clinic there, which is used to treat injured and poorly animals, will be closed until repairs are made.

However, it is hoped the shop itself will reopen shortly.

A spokesman for Kent Fire and Rescue Service said: "They were very lucky because they closed the fire doors which meant the blaze was confined to one room.

"While minor damage was caused it could have been much worse."

It is thought to have been caused by a 9V battery short-circuiting.