Aerial pictures of a field fire show flames were within metres of a new-build estate.

The blaze happened in Spitfire Way, Manston at about 10.40am yesterday.

At its height, ten fire engines were in attendance, and the crew worked on the scene for more than two hours.

Resident and nature expert Nik Mitchell captured drone footage highlighting the damage caused.

Pictures show about 30 acres of black charred wheat, which reaches just up to the boundary with nearby estate Manston Park Living.

They also show an ice cream van, which kindly stopped to offer free treats to firemen working in the heat.

The cause of the fire is unknown, but Mr Mitchell believes the dry weather and some kind of spark is to blame.

He explained: “Some people have the misbelief that these fires start naturally.

“It’s not just the hot, dry weather. Something sets it off such as a cigarette butt or the reflection from a glass bottle.

“It’s not just started by sunlight.”

No one was injured in the fire, but it sparked heavy traffic in surrounding roads.

At the height of the blaze, an eyewitness told KentOnline: “All surrounding roads are filled with smoke so it's best to avoid Manston entirely if you can help it.

“The fire is big, it is spreading and all surrounding roads by those fields are filled with smoke.

“Cars are about to stop, no one can move anywhere. Manston is becoming gridlocked.”

It was the fourth field fire in Kent in the past couple of weeks.

Blazes in Hersden, Crockenhill and New Romney have all taken place on farmland recently.

A fire service spokesman said: “We were at the scene of a field on fire off Spitfire Way, Manston.

“At the height of the incident, there were ten fire engines in attendance.

“There were no reported injuries and the cause is not yet known.”