A massive industrial fire that burned for more than three days was started by an electrical fault.

An investigation by fire services has revealed that the blaze at Cobbs Wood Industrial Estate in Ashford was started accidentally by an industrial machine.

A huge plume of smoke was sent into the air as the fire raged at LMR Tyres on Tuesday, September 15.

One man was taken to hospital with burns and smoke inhalation, while fire services remained at the scene until Friday when the flames finally extinguished.

A Kent Fire and Rescue Spokeswoman said: "It’s believed the fire started accidentally, due to an electrical fault with the power supply to an industrial machine."

At its height, 15 fire engines and more than 60 firefighters attended the blaze, which destroyed at least one warehouse and a car.

Speaking to a KentOnline reporter at the scene, Ashford resident Martin Darby said: "I came out of Iceland about four o'clock and the whole sky was black.

"People thought it was going to rain and I said no, it's smoke!

"Everybody in the Arlington area has been told to close their windows but it's going the other way, towards town.

"It's going to go on all night, I think, the whole lot is alight, and tyres will just burn and burn."

Waste collection company Biffa, which owns an affected warehouse, has managed to keep recyling and rubbish collections working in the Ashford area despite the damage.

Read more: All the latest news from Ashford