Asbestos found in debris from derelict club blaze

Debris from a fire at a derelict former nightclub in Kent contains asbestos, according to a local authority.

Gravesham Borough Council had said residents of Factory Road in Northfleet should "stay inside with doors and windows closed" when the fire at the Portlands building broke out late on Sunday.

Testing subsequently "identified asbestos within the debris from the fire", officials said, but the risks to health were "low".

Kent Fire & Rescue Service did not report any injuries from the fire at the Grade II listed building.

UK Health Security Agency advice was that asbestos fibres were "not readily released into the air during a fire".

The local authority said arrangements were being made to decontaminate ash deposited on nearby properties and streets.

Officials advised the public to leave fire debris alone and contact Gravesham Borough Council for its removal instead.

If it was "absolutely necessary" to remove debris, the council advised dampening it down with water then flushing small particles to the drain or double-bagging larger pieces wearing protective gloves and arranging a council collection.

"Do not try to sweep up or vacuum debris as this could create airborne dust," officials said.

Gravesham Borough Council said there was "no significant health concern" after asbestos was identified

Kent Police said its investigation of the cause of the fire was continuing.

Another fire happened at the site, also known as the Factory Club, in 2022, the fire service said.

It deployed eight fire engines, a height vehicle and a bulk water carrier to the blaze on Sunday.

The property was built as a recreational hall in 1878, according to Historic England.

It comprises a brick-built basement, double-height ground floor and attic with added classical decoration and slate roofs.

The end sections have "corners decorated with Corinthian pilasters and rise to French-chateau-type steep pitched roofs".