The fire service is investigating the cause of a huge blaze that ripped through a business founded almost 100 years ago.

Crews have finally left the scene after 31 hours of tirelessly tackling the flames and billowing smoke at K Laundry Ltd, in Northwood Road, Ramsgate.

At the height of the inferno, there were 12 fire engines at the scene of the blaze, which started shortly after 4am yesterday.

Operations were scaled back and crews finally left the scene shortly after 11am today.

People as far away as Deal reported seeing black smoke billowing from the industrial building.

Residents in the area were advised to keep their windows and doors closed.

In an update shortly after 11am today, a fire service spokesman said: “Firefighting operations have now finished at an industrial fire in Northwood Road, Ramsgate.

“There were no reported injuries and the cause of the fire is not yet known but is being investigated.”

Advice to keep windows and doors closed in the Northwood Road area of Ramsgate was lifted at 9.30am.

But Northwood Road was still closed this morning but has since reopened.

K Laundry Ltd, a commercial laundry and linen hire specialist, was established in 1928.