A fire which took hold in an industrial unit in Aylesford, spreading to the ventilation shafts and roof, started in a spray booth system at a car repair shop.

Firefighters were called to the Cottage industrial estate at around 2.30pm yesterday where the fire was reported at Aylesford Body Repair Centre.

Passers-by saw smoke billowing from the doors of the workshop where firefighters used breathing apparatus and a hose reel to tackle the blaze.

A car is reported to have been damaged by the flames and smoke, along with other parts of the unit.

Ryan Roser, 26, from Aylesford, who was nearby at the time, said: "I was cycling along the new river path and see this thick black smoke. I thought it was rather odd so cycled faster to get to the scene. All the staff had been evacuated and one fire engine was on scene. Breathing gear used to combat the fire inside."

Two fire engines and a height and a height unit were sent to the estate.

The cause is believed to be a possible fault in equipment or an appliance and is deemed accidental.

Crews extinguished the fire just before 3pm but remained to damped down.