Hotel guests have been moved to other establishments following a fire in Sandwich.

People who were staying at the Bell Hotel in The Quay, were put in taxis and moved to other hotels after a fire tore through the premises at around 5.30pm yesterday.

Four fire engines were sent to the hotel which was evacuated as a result of the blaze.

The fire is thought to have started in ducting in the kitchen - causing damage to the room and a function room above.

The blaze also resulted in smoke and water damage to a number of bedrooms and hotel furnishings.

Firefighters wore breathing apparatus and fog spike to put out the flames and remained at the to check for hotspots until 1.15am.

Shepherd Neame confirmed the hotel was evacuated and no one was injured in the blaze.

A spokeswoman said: "A fire was reported in the Bell Hotel kitchen at 5.30pm yesterday.

"No-one was injured as a result of the fire.

"The Bell is currently closed and we arranged for taxis to transfer all guests to local hotels where they will remain while we assess the damage.”

For more news on fires in the county, click here.

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