TWO fire crews were still battling a blaze that broke out in a derelict pub on Wednesday morning.

Four fire crews spent three hours dousing the flames at the White Post Pub, in Pelham Road, which started at about 11.30pm on Tuesday.

Firefighters from Thames-side, Swanscombe, Dartford and Larkfield fire stations were all called to the pub, which was 50 per cent destroyed.

Crews set up a 20ft exclusion zone around the site and evacuated residents from a neighbouring home which was threatened by flames pouring out of the pub's windows.

Chris Peacock, white watch manager at Thames-side, said the incident was being treated as suspicious and has been referred to police.

The pub's owner has been given permission by the council to convert the former pub into houses and work had begun.