A homeless man has lost all of his possessions after his van was torched in a suspected arson attack.

The white Vauxhall Combo went up in flames in Collingwood Road, Whitstable, shortly before 7pm last night.

Witnesses described seeing a man acting suspiciously near the vehicle, which was lived in by a rough sleeper known locally as Pete.

The van on fire

He was not inside the van at the time of the reported attack, but all of his belongings are said to have been destroyed.

James Cox was visiting his daughter in Nelson Road when emergency crews arrived on the scene.

Speaking to KentOnline at the scene this morning, he said: "I've never seen flames like it.

"I thought the van was going to explode at one point.

"My daughter's car was parked next to it, but luckily wasn't damaged, although there was a Mercedes which was.

"Someone said they had seen an ember in the van and then a man run off before the flames went up."

A Crowdfunding page has now been set up to raise money for Pete.

It was launched by Lynne Forester, who wrote: "Pete is a local homeless man in Whitstable.

"He lived in his van, which has just been destroyed by arson. All of his worldly goods were in the van and he has been left without clothes or bedding.

"We aim to raise enough to replace these. As part of a charity which feeds anyone in need Pete has been a regular customer of ours."

The page had a fundraising target of £200, but £800 had already been raised by 9.30am this morning.

To donate, click here.

Police say officers attended the scene with Kent Fire and Rescue Service.

No injuries were reported and inquiries into the cause of the fire are ongoing.