Industrial fire in Sittingbourne prompts smoke warning for nearby residents and workers

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used hose reel jets and main jets to tackle the blaze at the industrial site. The fire service reported that the fire is now out, though officials continued to advise local people to keep windows and doors closed while smoke remained present in the area.

Emergency Response and Safety Measures

Kent Fire and Rescue Service deployed crews with specialist equipment to the Gas Road location in the Murston area of Sittingbourne. The firefighters used standard industrial fire procedures, including breathing apparatus to protect against smoke inhalation while tackling the flames.

The service issued public safety guidance particularly aimed at people with existing respiratory conditions such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Officials emphasised the importance of limiting exposure to smoke by maintaining closed windows and doors in nearby properties.

No injuries to members of the public or firefighters were reported in the official incident update from Kent Fire and Rescue Service.

Location and Context

The incident occurred at an industrial premises on Gas Road in Murston, which sits within the Swale district of Kent. The area contains multiple industrial sites and has previously experienced occasional fires that have generated visible smoke plumes affecting the wider Sittingbourne area.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service maintains standard procedures for managing industrial fires and smoke plume incidents. The service commonly issues closure advice for windows and doors during incidents that produce significant smoke to reduce inhalation risks and odour penetration into homes and workplaces.

Industrial fires can involve various materials that may produce thick or acrid smoke. Public health guidance typically prioritises limiting exposure to such smoke, particularly for vulnerable individuals with pre-existing respiratory conditions.

Key Takeaways

• Fire at industrial premises in Gas Road, Murston, Sittingbourne has been extinguished by Kent Fire and Rescue Service
• Residents and workers near the site were advised to close windows and doors due to smoke in the area
• No injuries were reported to firefighters or members of the public during the incident

What This Means for Kent Residents

People living or working in the Murston and wider Sittingbourne area should continue following Kent Fire and Rescue Service guidance regarding window and door closure until smoke has completely cleared from the vicinity. Those with respiratory conditions including asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease should pay particular attention to air quality and seek medical advice if they experience breathing difficulties. Local residents can monitor Kent Fire and Rescue Service updates for confirmation when normal ventilation can safely resume in the affected area.