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Firefighters tackle large blaze at city centre site Firefighters tackle large blaze at city centre site
(33 minutes later)
Those living nearby were urged to keep their windows and doors shutThose living nearby were urged to keep their windows and doors shut
A large fire that broke out at a former Debenhams store in Canterbury city centre has been brought under control by firefighters.A large fire that broke out at a former Debenhams store in Canterbury city centre has been brought under control by firefighters.
Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) said eight engines and two height vehicles were sent to the empty property in Guildhall Street shortly after 20:30 GMT on Monday.Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) said eight engines and two height vehicles were sent to the empty property in Guildhall Street shortly after 20:30 GMT on Monday.
About 30 people were evacuated from nine nearby flats and 50 firefighters were in attendance at the peak of the incident.About 30 people were evacuated from nine nearby flats and 50 firefighters were in attendance at the peak of the incident.
At 14:15 on Tuesday, crews remained at the scene to dampen down hotspots, a KFRS spokesperson said. At 16:45 on Tuesday, five fire engines remained at the scene to dampen down hotspots, a KFRS spokesperson said.
People living and working in the surrounding area are being advised to keep windows and doors closed until further notice. A cordon remained in place and the cause of the fire was to be investigated, the fire service said.
"When the cordon has been lifted they can return to normal," the fire service said, adding that the cause of the fire would be investigated. “The earlier advice to keep windows and doors closed has now been lifted, but please do not travel to the area unless absolutely necessary,” the spokesperson added.
A total of 50 firefighters helped tackle the blaze in CanterburyA total of 50 firefighters helped tackle the blaze in Canterbury
One person was passed into the care of South East Coast Ambulance Service due to smoke inhalation.One person was passed into the care of South East Coast Ambulance Service due to smoke inhalation.
Resident Snow Shang said being evacuated with her nine-year-old son was "really scary".Resident Snow Shang said being evacuated with her nine-year-old son was "really scary".
Canterbury City Council set up a welfare centre on Monday night - which was later stood down - to help those who had been evacuated.Canterbury City Council set up a welfare centre on Monday night - which was later stood down - to help those who had been evacuated.
"Our teams worked hard to support those that could arrange a place to stay for themselves and found overnight accommodation for those that could not," a council spokesperson said."Our teams worked hard to support those that could arrange a place to stay for themselves and found overnight accommodation for those that could not," a council spokesperson said.
About 30 people were evacuated from nearby flats as a result of the blazeAbout 30 people were evacuated from nearby flats as a result of the blaze
Kai Valentine, who works for a nearby insurance company, said he was unable to get into work because of the fire and only found out about the blaze once he arrived.Kai Valentine, who works for a nearby insurance company, said he was unable to get into work because of the fire and only found out about the blaze once he arrived.
"[With] the cost of living at the moment, [and] everything else, hopefully small businesses don't get affected too drastically," he said."[With] the cost of living at the moment, [and] everything else, hopefully small businesses don't get affected too drastically," he said.
Mr Valentine also said he was finding it hard to breathe in some areas near the fire.Mr Valentine also said he was finding it hard to breathe in some areas near the fire.
Neil Griffiths, assistant director of response at KFRS, previously said he was worried about "protecting the city of Canterbury from the fire spread".Neil Griffiths, assistant director of response at KFRS, previously said he was worried about "protecting the city of Canterbury from the fire spread".
He said one of the service's priorities was to deal with the incident as quickly as possible to limit the disruption in the town.He said one of the service's priorities was to deal with the incident as quickly as possible to limit the disruption in the town.
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