Kent Fire and Rescue Service faced a demanding Sunday morning as crews tackled two significant blazes in Aylesford and Gillingham, requiring a combined response of fourteen fire engines to bring the situations under control.
The first incident began just after midnight when a fire broke out at a restaurant on High Street in Aylesford. Dispatchers sent eight fire engines, a bulk water carrier, and a height vehicle to the scene to combat the flames. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus worked for over four hours to extinguish the blaze using main jets and high-pressure hose reels. While the command support unit remained on-site to coordinate the large-scale operation, officials confirmed that no injuries were reported. The cause of the restaurant fire has not yet been determined.
Only minutes after the Aylesford incident was brought under control, a second fire erupted at a home on Albany Road in Gillingham. Six fire engines arrived shortly before 05:00 to find the property well-alight. Crews utilized breathing apparatus and main jets to suppress the flames and prevent further spread.
During the operation, three people were treated at the scene and passed into the care of South East Coast Ambulance Service paramedics. A formal investigation is now underway to establish how the house fire started.