Firefighters have extinguished a suspicious blaze at a former children's respite unit on Sheppey this evening.

The fire has seriously damaged the building in Minster Road, Minster, and fire fighters said half the ground floor, half the first floor and 60% of the roof has been destroyed.

The remainder of the building has heat and smoke damage and fire crews are now removing roof tiles, cutting away and damping down hotspots.

At its peak about 25 firefighters were at the scene.

Crews were called just before 7.30pm and five fire engines and a height vehicle were sent.

They used a fog spike - which functions as a sprinkler system - to fight the flames.

A large plume of smoke could be seen rising over the village.

The site of the fire

The service is run by Medway NHS Foundation Trust.

A Kent Police spokesman told KentOnline: "Kent Police is investigating a report that a fire which took place in a derelict building in Minster Road, Sheerness, yesterday may be suspicious.

"At present no arrests have been made however inquiries are ongoing."

The force is working with the local authority as it continues to investigate the blaze.