Fire rips through Lordswood Industrial Estate
Published: 11:52, 06 June 2019
Updated: 13:05, 07 June 2019
More than 20 firefighters tackled a blaze on an industrial estate - with people living and working in the area advised to keep their windows and doors shut.
Pictures show smoke billowing out of a building owned by coloured glass firm Colorlites in Lordswood Industrial Estate in Chatham.
When crews arrived just after 11am the building was well alight.
The fire rips through the Lordswood Industrial Estate
There are no reports so far of any injuries. Police were called to manage traffic in the Revenge Road area.
Firefighters from Chatham, Strood, Larkfield, and Maidstone and a height vehicle from the Ashford went to the scene.
Initial reports indicated pallets were alight at the unit, which is believed to be occupied.
The scene after the fire
Crews, from three fire engines, wearing breathing apparatus used compressed air foam, two hose reel jets and water from a hydrant to attack the blaze.
Emergency services support vehicles and police assisted at the scene.
Cars were diverted as Gleaming Wood Drive was closed to traffic.
Hayley from neighbouring business Willow Pumps, in Revenge Road, said: "We didn't see the fire, we just saw the smoke coming out.
"Someone came round and told us to close the windows just in case it was asbestos related.
"We have no idea how it has started."
At 6.10pm, the incident had been scaled back to two fire engines and crews remained at the scene overnight to monitor remaining hotspots.
Smoke coming from the site had eased and the earlier advice for people living and working near the estate had been lifted.
The cause is not yet known.
Read more: All the latest news from Medway
More by this author
Nicola Jordan