A popular restaurant has closed until further notice after a fire broke out in the building's cellar.

Fire crews were called to The Bench wine and tapas bar on Harbour Parade, Ramsgate, on Monday at around 5pm.

A spokesman for the bar said: "I can confirm we unfortunately are closed until further notice."

The fire was extinguished by around 6.30pm and smoke was cleared from the building using a special fan.

A KFRS spokesman said: "Fire crews had left the scene by 7pm.

"Fire crews tackled a blaze in the cellar of a restaurant on Harbour Parade in Ramsgate.

"Crews wore breathing apparatus and used hose reel jets, a main jet and a ventilation fan to tackle the blaze.

"There were no reported injuries and the cause isn't yet known at this stage."

Police say the fire is not being treated as suspicious.

A police spokesman said: "Kent Police was made aware of a fire at a restaurant in Harbour Parade, Ramsgate, at around 5pm on Monday 18 September.

"Officers attended to assist Kent Fire and Rescue Service with traffic control while the fire was dealt with.

"No injuries were reported and the fire is not being treated as suspicious."