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Road closure extended in Milton Road, Gravesend, following fire

A road which was closed through a busy town centre is to remain shut after a devastating fire.

Milton Road in Gravesend was shut on May 27 following a major blaze which saw a former pub collapse into the street.

The remains of the old New Inn in Queen Street, Gravesend, on Friday, May 27
The remains of the old New Inn in Queen Street, Gravesend, on Friday, May 27

The road was expected to re-open by 5pm last Thursday but Kent Highways confirmed today the closure will stay in place until 5pm on Friday, June 10.

The affected roads are Harmer Street, Milton Street, Ordnance Road, Edwin Street, Berkley Road, West Crescent Road and The Grove.

Firefighters were at the scene in Milton Road, at the junction of Queen Street, for around 24 hours after flames broke out at the former New Inn pub around 1pm on May 26.

At its peak, nine fire engines were in attendance along with a height vehicle.

By 4pm, that number had been reduced to seven engines and the height vehicle, with crews continuing to fight the flames and cut away any hot spots.

By 8.30pm, it had been scaled back to six crews who were turning over and damping down as an investigation was launched into the cause.

The building has collapsed into the street prompting the road closure
The building has collapsed into the street prompting the road closure

Firefighters remained on the scene holding a watching brief overnight to make sure the fire didn't reignite, and to keep the scene safe.

Crews were still monitoring the remains and carrying out their investigation into how it started the next morning.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service operations did not fully stop until just before 12.30pm on Friday.

Last week, a spokesman for the service said: "It is believed the fire started due to an electrical fault."

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