A blaze above an empty shop in Gillingham is believed to have been started deliberately.

Firefighters were called to Canterbury Street at 7.30pm yesterday to reports of a fire above Boston's Footwear.

It started in the unoccupied flat above the shop, which is next to the Co-op.

Crews wearing breathing apparatus used ladders to help them gain access to the flat.

A spokesman from Medway Station said: "We believe it to be deliberate ignition. There were signs of a break-in and persons were reported but there was nobody inside."

Police were called to the scene just after 8pm and a spokesman said: "The cause is being treated as suspicious at this time. No injuries have been reported and enquiries are on-going."

Firefighters from Medway Station also helped Rainham Station to tackle a fire at four sheds on Ellison Way, Rainham, at 7pm.

They extinguished the fire by 7.40pm but remained at the scene damping down for a further 30 minutes. Two of the sheds were completely destroyed.

Medway were later called to a chip pan fire at Rowan House, Medway Maritime Hospital but when they arrived on-site staff had already dealt with the blaze using a fire blanket and had evacuated the building.

Firefighters then went and used a fan to clear any smoke.

The Medway crew also attended a couple of bin and grass fires during their shift.