A blaze that ripped through a historic building on a regenerated quayside has destroyed at least two businesses.

At 12.34am on October 26, Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) were called to Standard Quay in Faversham to a fire inside The Pottery Room.

Six fire engines were in attendance, and crews wearing breathing apparatus used hose-reel jets and main jets to extinguish the flames.

The former commercial port is home to a mix of shops and eateries, including Papà Bianco, The Secret Garden Tea Room and Baltic House Wine Bar.

One witness, who lives directly opposite where the fire is thought to have started, had to rush outside in their pyjamas to move their car, which was parked next to the burning building.

They told KentOnline: “I have never seen anything like it. When I moved my car, I couldn’t see my hand in front of my face through the smoke.

“I jumped in my vehicle at 12:44am, and the flames were in a small area at the front of The Pottery Room. I was able to move my car safely, and seconds later, the first fire engine appeared.”

The witness continued to say that KFRS set up their equipment and began tackling the fire in a matter of moments; however, due to the old age of the mostly wooden building, the business quickly became engulfed by fire.

They continued: “It didn’t matter what the firefighters did, once that old building was alight, it just spread. It spread from The Pottery Room to J C Lock And Safe and the unit behind which, until recently, had been a butcher - thankfully, I think that unit was empty.

“It was just devastating to see. I watched two businesses get destroyed in a matter of minutes. I had been to The Pottery Barn, before it moved to Standard Quay, when it was based in town earlier this year and had a wonderful time. I am so sad and so sorry for the owners, for all the business owners affected by this and for the quayside itself, it was horrible to see.

“The firefighters were absolutely amazing though, without their speed and efficiency, I hate to think how quickly it could have spread.”

The vacant unit that also caught alight was on the market for rent via Iliffe & Iliffe estate agents for £1,500.

It was being advertised as a potential retail space, restaurant or an office or studio.

Reacting to the blaze on social media this morning, the owners of The Pottery Room said: “We have just found out from Facebook that our studio has been burnt down.

“We don’t know when or what happened, other than seeing pictures on Facebook.

“Any future bookings will be cancelled for the foreseeable future. We are absolutely gutted.”

Just after 1pm, owners Sarah and Ibi added that they were “in a state of shock”, saying: “We have just got back from what was The Pottery Room.

“The firefighters worked so hard to put the fire out, thank you so much for what you do. It was terrible, but thankfully nobody got hurt.

“We just need a bit of time to work out what happens next and speak with the insurance company tomorrow.

“We will get around to responding to any enquiries made, but please bear with us at this difficult time.

“Thank you for all your support and understanding. Our love goes out to J C Lock And Safe who were above us and also have lost everything”.

A spokesperson for Standard Quay said: “The fire completely destroyed the first building on site — previously home to The Pottery Room and J.C. Lock & Safe, and until recently, a butchers.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of these valued businesses and are working closely with those affected to provide whatever support we can in the days and weeks ahead.

“Thanks to the swift and professional response of the Kent Fire and Rescue Service, the fire was successfully contained and prevented from spreading to nearby historic buildings and other trading units along the Quay. Their efforts undoubtedly saved further damage and we extend our thanks to all firefighters and emergency personnel involved.

“While the adjacent Baltic House Wine Bar, remains closed until further notice due to proximity and safety assessments, we are pleased to confirm that all other businesses on site remain open and are trading as usual.

“Standard Quay has always been a place of community and resilience, and we will continue to support our tenants, staff, and visitors as recovery begins.”

Faversham’s MP Helen Whately MP posted on social media to say: “So sorry for The Pottery Room in Faversham and the other businesses whose buildings and stock were burned to ashes in the fire last night.

“I love Standard Quay with its historic wooden buildings alongside the muddy creek, the imposing customs house and the row of barges against the open skies and empty marshes. You can easily drift back in time and imagine how it would have been when Faversham was a bustling port.

“It's a special part of Faversham and I'm so sad to see the damage done by the fire.

“I know that a huge amount of work has gone into making The Pottery Room a destination. I visited a few months ago and saw how beautifully it was decorated. Such a hard blow.

“Thank you to the fire and rescue service for doing a brilliant job getting the blaze under control and saving the historic buildings nearby.”

Antiques centre, Aladdin’s Loft, which is based at Standard Quay, was open as normal today, but bosses said that was only due to the work of the emergency services.

The venue said: “The fire was contained by our fabulous firefighters who managed damage limitation perfectly. We thank you so much.”

Mayor of Faversham, Cllr Josh Rowlands, also expressed his sadness at the destruction of the historic building.

He said “Our thoughts are with the business owners, workers, residents, and all those who have been affected by this terrible event.

“Faversham’s maritime heritage is a cornerstone of our town’s identity. For centuries, the quay has stood as a living link to our shipbuilding, trading, and creek-side traditions.

“Standard Quay is not only a place of history, but also a treasured public space where people come to walk, work, enjoy the waterfront, and feel connected to the past. Its loss is felt deeply across the community.”

Crews began dousing the wine bar next door to the fire in water and foam to stop it from spreading, and although they succeeded, the heat of the flames has caused damage to that building as well.

Monks’ Granary Wine and Cheese expressed its gratitude to the firefighters and said it hoped to reopen on Wednesday.

Crews from Faversham, Sittingbourne, Teynham and Canterbury were seen at the scene until around 3am after the clocks went back.

In an update at 1pm, KFRS said: “Firefighting operations are now complete at the incident on Standard Quay in Faversham

“There are no reported injuries and the cause is believed to be an electrical fault.”