People were told to avoid an area where firefighters dealt with the aftermath of a blaze at a pub.

The fire broke out in The Racing Greyhound in Hereson Road, Ramsgate, and road closures were put in place. The route has reopened since.

A message on the pub’s Facebook site says: “Please be aware, due to a kitchen fire, we will not be opening today.

“No one has been injured, but we are awaiting further instructions. We are so sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.”

Four fire engines at first attended, from 11.10am today, and crews wearing breathing apparatus used hose reel jets and main jets to put out the blaze.

Charlotte Gates lives opposite the pub and witnessed the fire.

“My children and I were due to go there with friends for my friend's birthday this afternoon,” the 47-year-old said.

“We saw the staff running into the car park and smoke billowing out from the roof.

“As it is our local, opposite my house, we know the lovely staff very well and we are obviously concerned.

“The police and fire crew attended immediately.”

The iresponse was a couple of hours later reduced to two fire engines as crews dampened down.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service then warned people to still keep away from the area because of road closures,.

But in an update at 1.35pm it said: “Firefighting operations are now complete. The road has re-opened, and people are no longer advised to avoid the area.”

No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire is not yet known.