The cause of a huge blaze which ripped through a rural industrial estate near Cranbrook yesterday remains unclear.

Thirty firefighters spent most of the night tackling the fire at Little Weavers in Iden Green, with police and paramedics also in attendance.

The incident was scaled back to two appliances just before 3am and to one at 10am, with the crew remaining at the scene in Mill Street.

The fire started just after 2.30pm and the site was promptly evacuated, with six crews, a bulk water carrier and a command unit sent to the yard.

People living nearby were told to keep their doors and windows closed but no injuries were reported.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus had to remove gas cylinders which were reportedly exploding.

Wooden pallets and a trailer were also on fire, while crews cooled a large workshop in the area to prevent the fire from spreading.

Firefighters used compressed air foam, which is seven times wetter than water and is particularly useful in rural areas where the water supplies may be limited.

Staff from Cartech, which is based on the site, are this morning clearing up any damage caused.

One employee told KentOnline the fire started in the yard to the back of their business but they had no idea what had caused it.

The company hopes to open as normal on Monday.

Footage of the blaze just after 4pm yesterday. Credit: Matt Kellett

The blaze sent a large plume of black smoke billowing into the sky over the weald and Kent Police has confirmed at this stage there is nothing to suggest it was suspicious.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service confirmed the cause is not yet known.