A huge fire at a cockle shed in Whitstable harbour is believed to have started accidentally as an investigation into its cause continues.

Firefighters battled the blaze at the building as smoke and flames poured from the site next to the town's fish market.

Ten fire engines and a height vehicle were at the scene on Thursday afternoon, with dozens of firefighters using hoses to douse the blaze.

Crews worked hard to prevent the flames from spreading to neighbouring businesses, including Whitstable Fish Market, The Crab & Winkle restaurant and the newly-opened South Quay Shed.

A fire service spokesperson said this afternoon: "The investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing, however it’s believed the fire started accidentally."

Harbour Street reopened on Sunday morning and the south quay opened on Saturday afternoon.

Some damage has been caused to The Crab & Winkle, including extensive damage to the adjoining walls, while a window, wooden cladding and the roof have also been impacted.

At the height of the blaze, smoke could be seen for miles, with plumes visible from Tankerton.

The intensity of the fire caused the cockle shed's roof to collapse and extensive damage both inside and outside the building.

Meanwhile, the city council has confirmed work to demolish and clear the cockle shed, which started on Friday, is continuing today.

"We are looking at options to ensure the site is tidy for the summer," a spokesman said today.

"The south quay itself opened on Saturday afternoon. Harbour Street opened late on Sunday morning.

"Cleaning of the South Quay Shed has started and will continue today.

"Tenants will have access tomorrow to restock and prepare, and we will reopen to the public on Wednesday at 9am."

On Friday, the Harbour Market and Harbour Garden Cafe were open, and the city council was liaising with nearby fishermen.

They told how the new South Quay Shed - which neighbours the Crab & Winkle restaurant - requires a deep clean.

The local authority had recently agreed a short-term use of the Cockle Shed building for the Whitstable Biennale art festival.

A city council spokesman said on Friday they understood some work to get the building ready for this had begun and they were liaising with the festival organisers.

"Due to the age of the building we asked the demolition contractor to bring in a specialist asbestos team to oversee the operation," the city council said on Friday. "This is a precautionary measure.

"Asbestos monitoring equipment has been set up and people working within the site cordon are wearing protective equipment, again as a precaution."

The blaze broke out at about 1.30pm on Thursday and a large crowd gathered in the area after emergency services closed off part of Harbour Street.

Firefighters sprayed foam onto the South Quay Shed to prevent the flames from reaching it.

No one was injured in the blaze.

Reporter Lydia Chantler-Hicks, who was at the scene at the height of the blaze, said she could feel the heat from the flames from 100ft away.

"Crews are using jets of water but it doesn't seem to be having any effect," she said.

"It's a timber building and is burning so hot. Pieces of timber are falling down. Wind is blowing the fire in the direction of the South Quay Shed."

Canterbury city councillor Clare Turnbull, who was at the scene, described the smoke as "awful".

She said: "There was really acrid, yellow billowing smoke coming out.

"The flames were blazing out of the shed and they started coming out of the roof of the restaurant above the fish market.

"The problem we've got is this gusty wind which is blowing the smoke and flames right across to the other buildings.

"There have been fire engines and police galore, it's really well organised with a quick response.

"One of the main fears is protecting the South Quay Shed that opened just the other day.

"People are worried about their businesses. And also we've got the Jubilee weekend coming up. It's awful timing but the main thing is no one is hurt."