A disused cafe gutted by fire in Rochester's third major blaze in a week has been demolished.

The Market Cafe, in Corporation Street, was flatened yesterday afternoon because its structure was unsafe after the blaze.

About 30 firefighters were called to the property at about 10.30pm on Sunday after a blaze took hold.

Crews used breathing apparatus to investigate ongoing reports two people were inside the building.

They had to evacuate at 11.30pm because the structure of the building was under threat. A large part of the roof later collapsed.

Firefighter Aaron Tongue said: "When we first arrived it was very intense, but it wasn't that long before we brought it under control."

Police closed Corporation Street to traffic as six fire engines, a height vehicle and command support vehicle tackled the blaze until about 3.30am.

A previous fire broke out in the same building in December, after which investigators found sleeping bags still inside the derelict building.

Glasgow-based developers Corporation Street Hotel Ltd have planning permission to build a five-storey hotel on the site.

The developers were also seeking permission to replace the Market Cafe with a modern, 24-hour temporary cafe.

Flames took hold in a the disused Mak's Curry Nest in Rochester High Street on Saturday, while 13 people had to be rescued on Wednesday from a blaze in a block of flats in Gravel Walk.

Police are treating all three blazes as suspicious, but said it was too early to say whether they were linked.

Did you see the fire? Leave your comments below or send photos tomedwaymessenger@thekmgroup.co.uk.