FIRE crews struggled to contain a major blaze at a remote chalk quarry near Maidstone where lack of water hampered their efforts.

The Kent Fire and Rescue Service were alerted to the incident at the Sandling Chalk Quarry, off Pilgrims Way, Detling, at about 7.30pm on Sunday.

A storage building, measuring 20m by 10m was well alight and two pumps from Maidstone and one from Marden attended. Because they could not access the builidng, the fire-crews called in a height vehicle from Gravesend, and difficulties with water supply led them also to send for a water bowser from Larkfield. A man living in a mobile home nearby received first aid at the scene for chest pains.

Initially crews left the scene at about 12 midnight, but they were recalled at 1.30am today when pockets of fire broke out again. This time, pumps stayed on site dampening down.

Police are investigating the cause of the fire.