ABOUT 20 homes were evacuated early today when the former Royal Marines Concert Hall in Canada Road, Walmer, was gutted in a fierce fire.

As firefighters tackled the blaze the roof caved in leaving only the shell of the building. The evacuated residents were given shelter in a community centre and nearby public house.

This morning the road was still closed to motorists and diversions were in place.

Children were blamed after a previous fire in the building on April 22 in which the smouldering floor had to be cut away by firefighters.

Scooters and children’s scribblings were found in the building behind the Royal Marines memorial garden, which has been empty since 1996.

FULL STORY IN THIS WEEK'S EAST KENT MERCURY