by Dan Bloom

Firefighters battled for four hours to control a blaze that wrecked a large workshop, making it collapse.

Crews also had to cool several propane gas cylinders inside the building in Bethersden to stop them exploding.

Ashford fire crew manager Kevin Surridge said: "It had the potential of being a very dangerous job."

The blaze broke out at the former Beules Farm in Surrenden Manor Road at 3.30 this morning.

The site is now made up of three industrial units and the main 20 by 15 metre building burst into flames, causing the roof to collapse.

The fire also spread to four vans and four cars in the yard, destroying them and also a pile of timber.

Three fire engines, two from Ashford and one from Charing, were called out plus a turntable ladder and a bulk water carrier from Ashford.

Crews tackled the blaze wearing breathing apparatus and using foam and water jets.

Mr Surridge said crews cooled the gas cylinders but a number had been buried in the debris after the roof collapsed, which sheltered them from the fire.

He added: "That helped us and we were able to cope.

"But the problem with this job was that it was in a remote area and late at night so it took time for anyone to realise what had happened and raise the alarm.

"It wasn't until the fire went through the roof before anyone spotted it."

Two smaller industrial unit on the site were not affected and the cause of the blaze was still being investigate.

One fire engine was still at the scene later this morning and police scenes of crime officers were there searching for clues.