A grandmother of four feared she would lose her home when a fire broke out in the derelict house next door.

Shouti Patel had been at her home in Roberts Close, Milton Regis, near Sittingbourne, when the blaze started on Saturday (May 31).

The 66-year-old, who has lived there for more than 40 years, says she heard a “crack” that sounded like “fireworks going off” around 3.35pm.

After going outside, the retired former owner of the Costcutter convenience store in Halfway, on Sheppey, saw smoke billowing from the roof of the derelict property next to hers.

She moved her car away from the semi-detached building while a neighbour called the fire service.

At the height of the blaze, seven fire engines were at the scene. It took firefighters more than 12 hours to fully extinguish the flames.

Video footage shows thick black plumes of smoke as several firefighters use main jets to tackle the blaze.

Pictures show the aftermath, with the glass windows destroyed and the entire roof collapsed.

In Ms Patel’s home, three of her upstairs rooms suffered fire and water damage.

Ms Patel said: “When I moved my car, I saw the orange flames.

“I was shocked and I couldn’t stop crying as I thought I was going to lose my house — the home where I raised my two sons.

“I stayed at my brother’s house in Murston that night, and I haven’t slept in my home since due to the smell of the smoke.

“I have insurance, so I’m going through a claim with them, but I have no idea what it will cost to fix.

“I still can’t sleep because I can still see the fire and the water.”

During the blaze, a cordon was set up around the area, which one resident said “stank of smoke”.

Dave Saunders said: “The whole house is destroyed. The roof is gone — all that’s left are the timbers”.

He also praised the firefighters, calling their efforts “well-led” and “impressive”.

Police confirmed an investigation is under way into the cause.

A force spokesperson said: “Enquiries are ongoing and there have been no arrests at this stage.”

Neighbours told KentOnline they believe children started the fire.

A 79-year-old resident, who did not wish to be named, said: “Children have made it an adventure playground since the home was repossessed by a bank.

“There’s a group of six or seven quite young boys who’ve been going there.

“Apparently, they get in around the back of the property through a window that hasn’t been secured properly.

“There’s CCTV footage of three of them entering the building around the time of the fire, which has been given to the police.”