A DERELICT house was burned to the ground in what firefighters described as a suspected arson attack at the weekend.

Fire engines from Sittingbourne, Sheppey and Faversham attended the blaze in Staplehurst Road at Sittingbourne.

The property was burning furiously when they arrived but because it is set well back from the road, there was little danger to nearby residents or passing motorists.

John Bentley, Swale fire safety officer from Sittingbourne, said at the scene of Friday's fire: "It is a house that appears to be derelict and I would say it has not been lived in for some time.

"There is going to be an investigation, but considering that there would be no electricity or gas, it is not likely to have been started by a fault so it is likely to be from malicious ignition.

"It was already an established fire when we arrived and was probably burning for half an hour before we got the call.

"But because of its position, no one would have seen it until they went to pick up children from school."

He said the fire was likely to have started on the first floor and damage to the roof was so great that firefighters were left waiting for the roof to cave in before they attempted to enter the building.

They were expecting to remain at the site for at least two hours before the building would be deemed safe enough to leave.

Plumes of black smoke could be seen risen above houses in Cavel Way, Springfield Road and Waterloo Road.