A fire at a derelict pub is thought to have been started deliberately.

Five fire engines were sent to the blaze at the former Kemsley Arms, in Ridham Avenue, Kemsley near Sittingbourne, yesterday evening.

A police spokesman said: “Officers are investigating a suspected arson.

“Patrols attended the scene at around 5.30pm on Sunday, January 21, along with fire crews who extinguished the blaze.

“The fire is being treated as suspicious.”

Anyone with information which may help with the investigation should call 01795 419119, quoting crime reference 46/11464/24.

A Kent Fire and Rescue Service spokesman added: “Five fire engines and a height vehicle responded, and crews tackled a fire on the first floor.

“There were no reported injuries, and the cause is not yet known.”

The Kemsley Arms closed in May 2013 and has been labelled as an eyesore ever since by those living near it.

In May 2023 the unsightly remains were put up for sale for more than £1.5 million – just a month after neighbours were promised it would soon be converted into flats.

At the time, former Tory councillor Mike Dendor believed the application to turn the building into a mix of flexible retail space and a possible 20-plus apartment block was close to being approved.

It was later revealed the land with planning permission had been listed for sale by Sittingbourne estate agent Family Homes with an asking price of £1.5 million.

One resident, who lives behind the building and did not wish to be named, previously said: “The Kemsley Arms is a derelict unsafe building waiting for something to go wrong.”