A GARAGE owner suffered burns to his face, chest and hands early today after a fire which destroyed his premises at Woodnesborough, near Sandwich. Gerald Wardle is recovering in hospital at East Grinstead in West Sussex.

Firefighters from Deal, Sandwich and Wingham spent the night trying to cool cylinders which were described as "violently unstable" when hot.

The fire crews were called to the scene at 3.30pm and used full breathing apparatus to tackle the blaze.

Mr Wardle also suffered smoke inhalation. It is thought that sparks started a petrol fire.