Students evacuated after fire at derelict cinema

Students were evacuated from their homes as firefighters continued to tackle a blaze which broke out in a derelict cinema.

Businesses have also been evacuated from their properties due to the blaze at the former Odeon building St George's Place in Canterbury, Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) said.

Fire crews arrived at the scene shortly after 14:00 GMT on Saturday, and 15 fire engines attended at the height of the blaze.

A fire service spokesperson said there was now "minimal smoke" and advice to keep windows and doors closed has now been lifted by KFRS.

Two fire engines and two height vehicles remained on the scene at 11:30 on Sunday, after the response was initially scaled back to 10 fire engines at 23:00 on Saturday.

KFRS said the remaining vehicles would stay at the scene throughout Sunday night and into Monday morning to ensure there are no remaining hotspots.

Parts of St George's Place and Dover Street remain closed, the fire service added.

This means that some roads within Canterbury might be busier than normal, although pedestrian access to nearby businesses is permitted.

Canterbury City Council has set up a welfare centre for people evacuated as a result of the blaze, the fire service added.

The cause of the fire is not yet known.

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