Kemsley Paper Mill

Kent Fire and Rescue Service tackled a "large fire" at the paper mill in Ridham Avenue, Kemsley earlier this afternoon.

On arrival crews found a large amount of baled paper well alight and used two main jets, two flat fan sprays (ground monitor) and one hose reel jet to tackle the fire.

It's believed that a mechanical digger was also used to break up and move the paper stack.

There was a large amount of smoke in the area and local residents were urged to close their windows and doors as a precaution whilst the fire was being tackled earlier.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) took part in an exercise on Thursday (11th December) to test firefighters and the mill staff's response to a chemical incident at Kemsley Paper Mill - owned by DS Smith - the second biggest recycled fibre-based operation in Europe.

The staged exercise involved a reversing heavy goods vehicle hitting a member of staff, trapping him beneath the articulated trailer. The drama intensified after a chemical chlorine container dislodged during the collision, allowing the chemicals to leak.