by Martin Jefferies

Thanet Extra reader Steve Osborn took these explosive pictures of a massive fire that engulfed part of an historic Margate terrace last weekend.

Investigations are still continuing into what caused the dramatic blaze in Grosvenor Place at around 2am on Sunday.

More than a dozen people were evacuated from their homes, although everyone was accounted for and no-one was injured.

At its height, more than 40 firefighters from across East Kent battled to stop the fire spreading to neigbouring properties.

A building in the centre of the terrace was completely destroyed and four more were damaged by fire and smoke.

An arson attack in the same terrace in February 2004 claimed the lives of David Slater and James Mullins, both 18.

Two thugs knocked down the front door and torched the building, trapping the teenagers on the second floor of a neighbouring property.

William Bull, of Setterfield Road, Margate, was jailed for a minimum of 18 years after he was found guilty of the pair's murder.

Daniel Parry, of Approach Road, Margate, was cleared of murdering Mr Slater and Mr Mullins but convicted of their manslaughter and jailed for 13 years.

Bull, 17 at the time, was also convicted of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Mr Mullins' twin brother Michael, who suffered serious burns. He was given a concurrent sentence of nine years. Parry, then 21, was acquitted of that charge.