Some 55 firefighters and 10 vehicles are at the scene of a blaze at a Westwood industrial site this morning in Star Lane (September 15).
Residents in the Margate area are asked to keep their doors and windows closed as a precaution, due to the large smoke plume in the area.
Nash Road is also closed to assist with firefighting operations.
The black smoke can be seen across the isle.
Kent Police are also at the scene. A spokesman said: “Police were called to Nash Road, Margate, at 6.55am.
“Officers attended to close the surrounding roads. The cause of the fire is not yet known.”
UPDATE 9.50am:
Around 70 firefighters, 12 fire engines and our specialist technical rescue team are fighting the blaze in #Westwood #Margate. We've also launched our drone to provide an eye-in-the-sky view for incident commander on the ground. Read more here: https://t.co/BAguuPCbuM pic.twitter.com/tfd7bJaSt4
— Kent Fire and Rescue Service (@kentfirerescue) September 15, 2018
KFRS remains at the scene of the fire and now has some 70 firefighters, 12 fire engines, two height vehicles, a command support unit and KFRS’ specialist technical rescue team on site.
Photos Tyrone Keen
Fire crews have been working exceptionally hard to contain the fire to the main warehouse and prevent it spreading to neighbouring units using ground monitors and a height vehicle to rain water onto the fire from above.
Approximately 40 per cent of the building is involved in the fire and the KFRS drone (unmanned aerial vehicle) has been launched to provide incident commanders on the ground with an aerial view of the blaze.
If you have any privacy concerns please contact us quoting incident number 1543.
People in the area are reminded to please keep doors and windows closed as a precaution, due to the large black smoke plume in the area, which is visible from approximately eight miles away.
Please avoid the area if you can while firefighting operations are taking place.