Final update at 9.30am: 

Firefighting work is now complete at the scene of a commercial building fire in High Street, Strood. 

At the height of the blaze, control operators sent seven fire engines and a height vehicle to the scene, where crews wearing breathing apparatus extinguished the flames using hose reel jets and main jets. 

An investigation into the cause is underway. 

Update at 7.17am: 

People travelling near the High Street in Strood are no longer being advised to avoid the area as the road has now been reopened.

Two fire engines remain at the scene, and crews continue to extinguish the fire from the rear of the building.

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

Initial update at 5.42am:

Crews are advising people travelling near the High Street in Strood to avoid the area. The High Street is currently closed due to smoke coming from a fire at a commercial building.

Seven fire engines and a height vehicle are in attendance, crews, wearing breathing apparatus are using main jets to extinguish the fire.

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