DAMAGE estimated at around £80,000 was caused in a suspected arson attack on a contractor’s yard.

Firefighters spent two hours tackling the blaze which destroyed offices off Maidstone Road, Danaway, near Sittingbourne, on Wednesday night.

About 25 crew members with five pumps fought the fire which also wrecked one lorry and slightly damaged another.

Emergency services were called to the incident at contractor Owen Mullen’s yard, off the A249, at about 10pm. The firm specialises in plant hire and engineering.

Police spokesman Sally Smith said: “An investigation has been launched with the assistance of crime scene investigations and at present the incident is being treated as arson.”

A spokesman for Kent Fire and Rescue Service said the blaze wrecked 80 per cent of brick-built offices.