Kent Police are investigating a suspected arson after a large fire destroyed hay bales on Station Road, St Margaret’s at Cliffe on 18 August 2026, causing early estimated damage exceeding £100,000 to a rural business.
Officers were called at 7.25pm on Tuesday 18 August 2026 to reports of hay bales alight on Station Road in the rural village near Dover. Kent Fire and Rescue Service attended alongside police and worked extensively to extinguish the blaze. Nobody was reported to have been injured. Numerous livestock were moved to safety during the response.
The cause is being treated as suspicious and an investigation is ongoing.
Early estimated damage to the business exceeds £100,000.
Inspector Paul Barrell, from Dover’s Community Safety Unit, said: “This fire has had a devastating impact on the local community, with early estimated costs to rural business exceeding £100,000. It is thanks to the swift actions of officers, firefighters, local residents and volunteers at the scene that the consequences were not worse.”
Police are appealing for witnesses. Anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage from Station Road around the time of the incident should come forward.
Key information
- Contact Kent Police on 01843 222289, quoting reference 46/136496/26
- Report anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or via their online form