A huge blaze which tore through a farm building last night is being treated as suspicious.

Police have this morning confirmed they are investigating the cause of the fire at an industrial unit on a farm in Queen Street, Paddock Wood.

At one point, there were eight fire engines present, plus a height vehicle and a bulk water carrier at the site near Lucks Lane, with smoke visible from several miles away.

One crew remains at the building, believed to be used by an electrical company, checking for hot spots alongside police officers and Queens Road remains closed.

Last night, Kent Fire and Rescue tweeted that residents should remain inside with doors and windows closed.

The fire, which started at around 6pm, was brought under control by midnight.

Rachel McCombie, who lives near the warehouse, said many properties lost electricity during the blaze which burned through overhead cables.

She said: "It was a huge fire, we could feel the heat from across the fields. I feel sorry for those who live in the cottages next to it as they had to be evacuated.

"The Red Cross turned up and were giving them tea."

Mrs McCombie was told the building had a lot of gas canisters in it and had an asbestos roof, which meant the electricity board had difficulty accessing it.

She added: "There are still firefighters there this afternoon hosing it all down and a number of police officers are also on the scene."

Southeastern trains said its services were not affected by the smoke, despite the track running near the scene of the fire.

Fortunately no one was injured in the blaze, with a cause as yet unknown.