Whitstable Harbour: Fire crews tackle blaze - BBC News

2022-05-28 11:27:24 By : Mr. Barry Yang

Fire crews are tackling a blaze at a harbour in Kent which has destroyed a warehouse and damaged a restaurant.

Ten fire engines are battling the blaze at the South Quay in Whitstable Harbour which began at lunchtime, Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) said.

Video footage shows flames billowing from the roof of a large, black building.

KFRS said firefighters were "making steady progress" using hose reel jets and compressed air foam.

David Escudier from Kent Fire and Rescue Service said: "The fire was coming out of the roof and all sides of the buildings.

"Crews have worked really hard in really hot conditions to contain the fire."

Ten fire engines are tackling a blaze at a business in Whitstable Harbour. pic.twitter.com/IST1disJ9L

People living and working nearby have been told to keep windows and doors closed as a precaution due to smoke.

Peter Bennett owns the Crab and Winkle Restaurant which has been damaged after the fire spread from an empty warehouse to his property.

Mr Bennett said: "I'm feeling very sad. I got a text to say my building was on fire. [I'm] totally devastated. 22 years of work to build that business up, gone in two hours. Very sad."

In a statement, Canterbury City Council described the blaze as "serious", and said that everyone was evacuated safely with no injuries.

It added: "Following initial checks we do not believe the new South Quay Shed development, which only opened on Monday, has been damaged. However, we will not be opening it tomorrow [Friday]."

The council said investigations into the cause of the fire and the damage caused were under way.

Follow BBC South East on Facebook, on Twitter, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk.

Owners of stolen jewellery urged to come forward

Arson arrest after flat fire

Man charged over assault and robbery after following victim into pub toilet in Gravesend

Royal visitor given warm welcome on Romney Marsh visit

'It will be impossible to forget him'

Third P&O ship inspected for safety

Texas shooting response was wrong, says official

Armed female bystander kills man firing at US party

Japanese Red Army founder freed after 20 years

'It's hard to explain evil, it's hard to understand'

Germany's Scholz wobbles on tanks for Ukraine

Anti-Kremlin protesters look to Armenia for safety

How a Singapore execution set off a wave of protest

Living underground in Kharkiv for three months. Video Living underground in Kharkiv for three months

'It took us 75 years to meet our sister'

Celebs, sandstorms and striking photos this week

The fascinating origins of the world’s oldest martial art

Russian mum's fight to save sons from Putin's war

The end of 'mandatory office fun'

Why "the inane office 'fun' of yesteryear has wholly passed"

Japan's simple, centuries-old snack

It's a straightforward street food with an iconic theme song

The batteries powered by gravity

Gravity batteries could solve one of renewable energy's biggest problems

© 2022 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.