Firefighters have finally left the scene of a huge blaze at a builders merchants in Northfleet - after more than 24 hours.

A building collapsed and the fire spread to several lorries when it broke out on an industrial estate in Botany Road in the early hours of yesterday.

The final crews left Discount Builders Merchants at 2.20am today, but will be going back every few hours to check the site.

At its height, around 80 firefighters were needed to tackle the flames from about 1am yesterday.

Firefighters were still tackling the smouldering collapsed building with jets from a height vehicle throughout yesterday.

At least one building could be seen still alight at 8.30am and another was being dampened down.

The "deep-seated" fire within the collapsed was being allowed to burn down under control.

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KFRS said the blaze has damaged a large building, six lorries and a diesel tank.

A spokesman said it involved a large amount of building materials and has spread to adjacent properties.

By 7.10am, the response was scaled down to 25 firefighters with four engines and an aerial appliance.

A KFRS spokesman said: "Crews have worked hard through the night to bring the blaze involving a building measuring approximately 30m x 60m and six long goods vehicles under control and stop the fire spreading.

"Two vehicles were moved to safety and other areas of the site were protected by crews with covering jets."

Smoke billows from the blazing builders merchants in Northfleet. Video: Lizzie Massey

No one is believed to have been hurt and it is not yet known how the fire started.

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