Final update

Firefighting operations are now complete following a fire at a derelict building at St George's Place, Canterbury.

At the height of the fire, 15 fire engines and two height vehicles was at the scene, with firefighters and specialist teams working hard throughout the day and overnight to bring the fire under control and make the scene safe. 

The KFRS Volunteer Response Team was also in attendance to provide welfare support to crews. 

We are now working with Canterbury City Council to provide support to nearby residents and businesses unable to access their properties at this time, as a safety precaution.

There were no reported injuries, and the cause is being treated as suspicious.

Update at 9:30am on 16 February 

Three fire engines and a height vehicle remain at the scene of a derelict building fire at St George's Place, Canterbury.

There are no signs of heat or smoke in the building, however crews continue to monitor the situation and work to make the scene safe.

Parts of Dover Street remain closed, and Canterbury City Council is supporting the businesses and residents affected.

The cause is not yet known. An investigation into the cause will take place.

Update at 3:15pm on 15 February

People living or travelling near St George's Place in Canterbury are no longer advised to keep windows and doors closed due to smoke.

Two fire engines and a height vehicle remain at the scene and will monitor the building overnight to ensure there are no remaining hotspots.

St George's Place and parts of Dover Street will remain closed, however where possible, pedestrian access to nearby businesses is available. 

The cause of the fire is not yet known. 

Please share this information with any loved ones in the area who may be affected but do not have access to the internet.

Update at 11:30am on 15 February 

Two fire engines and two height vehicles remain at the scene, and crews are continuing to use external firefighting tactics to dampen down any remaining hotspots.

There is minimal smoke now, however we still advise people living or travelling around St George’s Place in Canterbury to keep their windows and doors closed as a precaution.

Currently, parts of St George’s Place and Dover Street remain closed, so please avoid these routes while firefighting operations continue.

Crews are also working closely with local businesses to help minimise disruption.

Please share this information with any loved ones in the area who may be affected but do not have access to the internet.

Update at 9am on 15 February

Light smoke remains in the area this morning, so firefighters continue to advise people living in or travelling near St George’s Place in Canterbury to keep windows and doors closed.

Four fire engines and two height vehicles are at the scene, where firefighters are working to identify any remaining hotspots and dampen down these areas.

Please share this information with any loved ones in the area who may be affected but do not have access to the internet.

Update at 11pm

Due to the large amount of smoke still present in the area, people living in or travelling near St George’s Place in Canterbury are advised to keep their windows and doors closed. This advice will remain in place overnight.

The incident has been scaled back to 10 fire engines and two height vehicles, and firefighting operations are continuing.

Students in nearby accommodation and several businesses close to the scene were evacuated as a precaution. Canterbury City Council led the evacuation and set up a welfare centre for those affected.

The cause is not yet known. 

Update at 6:30pm

The earlier advice for people living or travelling near St George’s Place in Canterbury to keep windows and doors closed remains in place following a fire at a derelict building.

15 fire engines and two height vehicles are at the scene, and firefighters wearing breathing apparatus are using hose reel jets to extinguish the seats of fire, as well as large fans to ventilate the building.

The Volunteer Response Team is also in attendance to provide welfare support to crews.

Please share this information with any loved ones in the area who may be affected but do not have access to the internet.

Update at 5pm

People living or travelling near St George's Place in Canterbury are still being advised to keep windows and doors closed.

15 fire engines and a height vehicle remain at the scene, and crews are making good progress extinguishing the fire using hose reel jets.

Please share this information with any loved ones in the area who may be affected but do not have access to the internet.

Initial update

Crews are advising people living or travelling near St Georges Place in Canterbury to please close windows and doors due to smoke coming from a fire at a derelict building.

A road nearby is also closed, so please expect heavier traffic than usual.

Ten fire engines are currently in attendance and crews are working to extinguish the flames.  

Please share this information with any loved ones in the area who may be affected but do not have access to the internet.