PARTS of a town centre were cordoned off after a major fire ripped through an old cinema building.

Gravesend town centre was brought to a standstill as fire engines from stations including Thameside, Strood, Medway and Sittingbourne tackled the inferno on Sunday evening.

The blaze started at around 7.30pm. Onlookers watched amazed as flames leapt into the sky when the roof of the building caught fire at at about 9pm. Parts of New Road and Queen Street were cordoned off.

Council planning officials have been meeting to discuss the safety of the building.