Final update at 3.30pm on 4 December:
Firefighting operations have now finished at a derelict building on Canterbury High Street.

At the height of the incident, eight fire engines and two height vehicles were in attendance as well as the technical rescue unit. Crews, wearing breathing apparatus, used main jets and hose reel jets to extinguish the flames. 

Around 30 people were evacuated from nearby properties on Monday (2 December) evening, but they have all now been allowed to return. Local businesses that were affected have now been allowed to reopen and the main high street is no longer cordoned off.

The volunteer response team and volunteer rapid response team attended to support people impacted and crews.  

One person was passed into the care of SECAmb paramedics on Monday (2 December), suffering smoke inhalation. 

The cause is still under investigation but is being treated as suspicious. 

Update at 10am on 4 December:
Kent Fire and Rescue Service remains at the scene of a derelict building fire on Canterbury High Street.

Two fire engines and a height vehicle are in attendance and crews are still working hard.

The cordon has been significantly reduced and the main high street, and some of the businesses in the area, have now been reopened. 

Some businesses closest to the incident and people living nearby will still be affected today, but crews are working with them to ensure they are back to normal as soon as possible.

Due to the complexity of the incident, crews are not yet able to access the site but a full investigation, with partner agencies, will take place when this is possible.

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Update at 8pm on 3 December:

Three fire engines and one height vehicle will remain at Canterbury High Street overnight, following the large fire in the empty department store. Our crews have worked very hard over the last 24 hours to control the blaze and ensure everyone's safety.

We'd like to say a huge thank you to the local businesses in Canterbury city centre for their kindness in providing crews with refreshments and allowing access to their facilities through the day.

We'd also like to extend a further thanks to the local community for co-operating with the earlier advice that was put in place to keep everyone safe.  

There is no longer a need to keep windows and doors closed.

The cause of the fire is to be investigated. 

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Update at 4.45pm on 3 December

Five fire engines and one height vehicle are currently at the scene of Canterbury High Street following a large fire which started yesterday evening in a derelict department store.

The fire is under control and crews are at the scene damping down hotspots.

The earlier advice to keep windows and doors closed has now been lifted, but please do not travel to the area unless absolutely necessary.

There is still a cordon in place, but we are looking to reduce this as much as possible to allow businesses to return to normality as quickly as possible. 

The cause of the fire is to be investigated. 

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Update at 2.15pm on 3 December

The large building fire which broke out last night in the empty department store in Canterbury High Street, is now under control.

Eight fire engines and two height vehicles are still in attendance and crews remain at the scene damping down hotspots.

The advice is still in place for people living and working in the surrounding area to keep windows and doors closed, and this will remain until further notice.

Nearby businesses should follow the same advice, and when the cordon has been lifted they can return to normal.

The cause of the fire will be investigated. 

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Update at 9.30am on 3 December

People living and working in the area surrounding Canterbury High Street are still advised to keep windows and doors closed, due to a large fire which broke out at a derelict department store last night.

Eight fire engines and two height vehicles are in attendance and crews, through the night, wearing breathing apparatus, have been using main jets to extinguish the flames.

The fire is now under control, but people are being asked to avoid the area while emergency services are working at the scene.

Crews have worked hard to prevent fire spread and protect the surrounding historical buildings.

One person was passed into the care of SECAmb paramedics, due to smoke inhalation.

An investigation into the cause of the fire will begin shortly.

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Update at 6am on 3 December
People are still being advised to keep their windows and doors closed if they live in and around Canterbury High Street due to a significant amount of smoke still in the area after a large fire in a building.

Eight fire engines and two height vehicles are still at the scene.  

Please continue to share this advice with any loved ones who may be affected, but may not have access to the internet.

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Initial Update on 2 December
People are being advised to keep their windows and doors closed around the #canterbury High Street area due to a large amount of smoke coming from a building fire.

Eight fire engines and a height vehicle are currently in attendance and crews are working to extinguish the flames.

Please share this advice with any loved ones who may be affected, but may not have access to the internet.