SMOKEY MATTERS

A source has told me that Kent Fire Brigade responded to a call that smoke was seeping out of the old Monro Cobb department store in Northdown Road on Thursday night. A Fire Team with breathing apparatus penetrated through the smoke filled conversion work in progress ( yet more flats) to find an inspection light lying on its side and wood charring and smoking. Much smoke damage was reported but a serious fire avoided, thank goodness.

The same source has confirmed my suspicions that when The Scenic Railway was set on fire, the arsonist had picked his time right. The Margate standby appliance and 'watch' had left the station and were in Garlinge BP Garage topping up with fuel when they got the 'shout'. The response time was fast but still much longer than it would have been from the station.