FIRE crews battled a blaze in a Northfleet paper factory for more than three hours yesterday (Jan 2).

Three fire engines and an aerial appliance were sent to the incident at Creek Hall Road at around 4.40pm.

Crews worked for three hours to control the fire in a a paper machine, which destroyed a large amount of paper residue.

A Kent Fire and Rescue spokesman said: "Firefighters worked with onsite fire crews to tackle a blaze in a machine on the fourth floor of a paper making factory.

"One hose reel and two jets were used to extinguish the fire. An aerial appliance was used to provide access and lighting and a thermal imaging camera to check the roof for fire spread.

"A large quantity of paper residue was destroyed."