A man has appeared in court charged with causing a fire which closed Strood town centre for several hours.

Gurpinder Singh Ghuman, 37, of Northcote Road, Strood, appeared at Medway Magistrates today (Friday) charged with arson.

Firefighters were called to Shut Time shoe shop in Strood High Street, on Monday, September 12, shortly after 1pm.

A fire had broken out in a store room above the store. Crews had to smash a window to get into the building and then use breathing apparatus to go inside.

Thick black smoke could be seen billowing from windows as police cordoned off the area.

Parts of the town centre, at the front and back of the shop, remained closed for several hours.