A major blaze in a Kent town centre has destroyed or severely damaged a number of businesses including the constituency office of Sports and Olympics minister Hugh Robertson.
The fire started in an ironmongers shop on the ground floor of the building in Lenham, and caused extensive damage to the Faversham and Mid-Kent MP’s office above. Crews were called at around 3.45 am but the fire was not extinguished until shortly before midday.
Around 40 firefighters tackled the blaze using six pumps, a height vehicle and three other support vehicles.
Hugh Robertson said:
“This is a sad day for everyone who uses the building. It is too early to assess the full implications but it is likely to have a short term impact on my ability to function as a constituency Member of Parliament.”
The cause of the fire is still being investigated but is not thought to be suspicious.
