A pub boss says “mindless” teenagers could have killed someone after starting a fire that quickly spread through his beer garden.

Steve Bassett, who runs the Coach and Horses in Strood, says the three boys were caught on CCTV setting furniture alight before running off.

The 47-year-old told KentOnline: “Three youths turned up, clearly a bit bored and looking to cause a bit of trouble, and what probably started as something a little bit mischievous quickly got out of control.

“They set fire to some furniture which then set fire to more furniture and because the flooring is artificial grass that caught fire as well.

“It then spread to the neighbouring fence and some of the plants. It just went up so quick.

“One of the locals who backs onto the pub called the fire brigade after he saw and smelt the black smoke and they were very good in response.

“They were there in less than 10 minutes. Thankfully there was no damage to the actual building.”

One fire engine was sent to the London Road pub just before 1am on Monday, August 5.

A fire service spokesperson said: “Crews used hose reel jets to extinguish the flames which were coming from artificial grass and garden furniture that were alight.

“There were no reported injuries and the cause is believed to be suspicious.”

A rattan furniture set, umbrellas and wooden furniture were destroyed, with the bill for damages reaching £4,000.

Steve, who has been at the pub for three-and-a-half years, added: “In the grand scheme of things it isn’t huge but we’re still a small business.

“It could have been a lot worse and spread to houses.

“We’ve just built a new barbecue and pizza oven area as well. If it had spread to that it would have been closer to £20,000 worth of damage.

“So I’m thankful it didn’t get to that, but at the same time I’m a little bit disappointed that the damage was made in the first place.

“The problem with the property is the outside area is not fenced up and not the most secure.

“There are five properties backing onto the fence lines and one of them was very close to where the fire was put out.

“We played the CCTV back in the morning and were able to see the three kids that did the damage.”

He says the culprits looked to be between 13 and 15 years old, adding: “It’s concerning that children are out that late and able to create that much damage.”

The pub is throwing a family fun day on Sunday (August 25) to raise money for Jack Dolan, a 15-year-old who suffered serious head injuries after performing a flip off Stone Pier in Margate in June.

Steve, who was born in Chatham, added: “His mum worked behind the bar so I thought we’d do a bit for her and throw a charity event, and the area that was damaged was going to be used.

“So now we’re trying to get it all sorted in time for the weekend.

“There’s going to be bands playing from midday, as well as a children’s entertainer, bouncy castle and a raffle.

“The kids that set the fire clearly knew there was a problem, they ran off as soon as it started to get out of control.

“I’m just thankful there wasn’t any life endangerment. That mindless way of thinking can really do a lot of damage and put people’s lives at risk.”

A police spokesperson said the force was investigating a report of arson where garden furniture and astroturf was set alight.

Inquiries are ongoing to identity those responsible.