Fire crews from across east Kent tackled a blaze at the old Duke of Kent pub on the Thanet Way at Hernhill.

They were alerted at 3amn on Wednesday. Seven appliances attended and some were still on the scene as the morning rush hour got under way.

At the height of the blaze the London-bound carriageway was closed but has now reopened.

A Kent Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said the Duke of Kent roof had been burnt through and internal stairs had collapsed

The pub has been derelict for a number of years and has recently been subject to a planning application for a care home.