Image copyright Ben Hodges

A large fire has broken out in an industrial building with plumes of smoke visible for miles around.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service has advised people living near the blaze on Vicarage Lane in Hoo, near Rochester, to keep windows and doors closed.

One resident of Hoo Marina described hearing a "huge explosion" and an eyewitness said the "place shook".

Ten fire engines were sent to the scene at about 04:40 BST but that has since been reduced to five.

Medway Council said roads in the area had been closed off.

There have been no reported injuries.

The Hoo Marina resident who heard the "huge explosion" said: "There's a chemical holding facility there, and it appears that's what's gone up."

He said a friend told him he had seen electricity pylons melting in the heat before the power went out.

Another eyewitness told BBC Radio Kent he heard "two massive bangs" at about 05:00.

"We thought it was a thunder bolt because the whole place shook," he said.

"All I could see in the background was a red ball of fire and we were all told to evacuate."

"The flames are still about 200 or 300 feet high," he added.