An emergency operation was launched this morning after a jetty caught fire in Gravesend.

When firefighters arrived at about 7.20am they discovered tyres and asbestos sheeting alight on the water’s edge off Wharf Road.

Initially the fire launch, a tidal boat which is used to fight fires from the water, was sent but was turned back to its Sheppey base.

Crews from Dartford and Thames-side used breathing apparatus to tackle the flames

spreading to nearby temporary buildings.

Crew manager Ian Crouch said: “It could have been a lot worse. When we got there it was

well alight.

"If it had not have been for the fast action of the team, it could have caused us a real problem.”

Thirteen firefighters had the incident under control within two hours and are now thought to

be damping down the area. The Environment Agency was alerted as a precaution.

The cause is not thought to be suspicious.