Maidstone Crown Court has been shut and 32 cases and six trials stalled after a heater blaze this morning.

Two crews were sent to the building, off Barker Road, and judges, barristers and staff were ushered outside.

Witnesses reported that the blaze had been sparked by an electric heater in one of the building's eight court rooms.

A spokeswoman for the fire service said it was called just before 9am but the blaze had been put out by the time crews arrived.

A high pressure fan was used to clear any remaining smoke.

Police are also at the scene and have been approached for comment.

Fortunately many people had not arrived as courts normally sit at 10am.

The blaze set the carpet alight but was quickly extinguished by security staff and there were no injuries.

Six part heard trials - including the Knightrider Street murder case - were cancelled for the day along with 32 other hearings.

A senior lawyer said: "It's the first time I've known the whole building to be closed."

Before the fire the building was closed because of a problem with the heating and the fire alarms began as security staff were grappling with a problem with the new doors which have only just been installed.

Senior barristers, including a number of QCs, stood outside the building for an hour before a decision was taken to close the building for the day.

Prisoners were taken under escort in vans to the magistrates' in nearby Palace Avenue court.

A decision is expected to be made about Friday's cases later today.

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