Smoke billowing from KFC in Broadstairs. Picture courtesy Lesley Green

The KFC restaurant in Broadstairs was severely damaged by a fire which broke out on Saturday.

Around 15 firefighters went to the fast food outlet in Westwood Road at around 8am.

The fire started in the roof. Flames could be seen leaping from the building and a spokesman for Kent Fire and Rescue Service said they received a "flurry of calls" from shoppers and passers-by.

Eyewitnesses say the building has been completely gutted.

One of them who works at the nearby Asda store said: "They have had to cave the roof in but all the roads are accessible."

The cause of the fire is not yet know but investigators were due to arrive at the scene on Saturday afternoon.

The number of fire crews on site had been scaled back by early Saturday afternoon.