A pub where the row which sparked the infamous Treeby family murder took place has been closed after a major fire ripped through it.

Around 30 firefighters were called to The Harrow Inn in Lidsing, Gillingham, at around 6.30pm yesterday.

The roof of the building, which was built in 1786, has been badly affected.

The pub was mentioned in the recent high-profile Treeby family murder trial.

In the trial, jurors heard how it was a family row at the same pub that escalated and resulted in the murder of Jack Treeby, a 43-year-old father of five.

Jack's brother, Bill, was found hanged in his prison cell after a suspected suicide two days after being found guilty.

His sons, George, 23, and Billy Treeby, 30, were handed a minimum 23 years behind bars while Bill's wife, Charity, 51, will serve eight years for GBH.

Firefighters estimated that around 20 per cent had been destroyed.

A statement on the pub's website said: "Due to unforeseen circumstances we are closed until further notice.

"Sorry for any inconvenience, we will get back to normal as soon as possible."