Firefighters feared people could be trapped in a blaze after finding sleeping bags in a Rochester building they thought was derelict.

But no one was found as crews battled to save the building, which used to house The Market Cafe, in Corporation Street on Tuesday evening.

The fire was reported at about 6pm and Corporation Street was closed until the fire was brought under control at 7.30pm.

Building control experts have now been informed after firefighters raised fears the building's structure could be damaged.

Strood fire station watch manager Marc Rosier was among the five crews and specialist command unit that attended.

He said the battle was made harder by a large amount of rubbish on the ground floor.

"There was quite extensive damage to the ground floor and it was starting to go up into the first floor," he said. "There was some concern that people were inside as there was evidence people had been sleeping rough."

He said crews went upstairs to search smoke logged rooms but no one was found.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Did you see the fire? Email your pictures to medwaymessenger@thekmgroup.co.uk.