Emergency services descended on a Tesco Express store in Maidstone, which appeared to have caught fire.

Shoppers were evacuated from the Loose Road supermarket at 2pm this afternoon after the blaze reportedly spread from a derelict building behind the store.

The fire service brought it under control and made checks of the scene as there are gas canisters nearby.

Scroll down for audio and video

Traffic was held on the A229 and three fire engines are currently at the scene.

A fire spokesman confirmed the blaze was started in a derelict building at the back of Tesco, when rubbish caught alight.

It is also believed to have affected a nearby double garage.

Crews are using a hose reel, a main jet and a hydrant to fight the fire, with police helping out with road closures. A large plume of smoke was seen blowing across the carriageway.

Stuart Albon, station manager, warned drivers to expect delays. He said: "Crews arrived to a large plume of black smoke appearing to come from the roof of Tesco.

Once they managed to get access to the side of the building they found the fire was coming from a premises next door where they were burning a large amount of waste.

"The smoke and the flames had actually impacted on the outside external wall of Tescos so crew at the moment are cutting away there to make sure the fire hasn't spread inside the store."

Tesco express worker Greg Forbes, said: "They said they had done a bonfire but we had a look a look and it was uncontrolled. It went all the way up the side of our building and right now we don't know what is going on from there.

"I smelled something when I was out back I, it happens all the time. You can sort of know they are burning something but I didn't know it was that bad."

Steve Sargent, of Steve Sargent Cars Ltd based opposite the Tesco store, said: "At one point you could see 10ft tall flames and they got hold of the Tesco building.

"There were people walking up the road covering their faces because of fumes and smoke.

"There was lots of activity with firefighters running about with hoses but they seem to have got it under control."

Staff at Tesco quickly evacuated customers after they noticed an acrid smell.

A spokesman for Kent Police, said: "Kent Police received a report that a premises in Loose Road was on fire at 2pm. Officers are currently at the scene assisting Kent Fire and Rescue Service with local road closures."

Nobody is believed to have been injured.

All lanes have reopened and traffic is beginning to clear. Listen to kmfm for the latest travel updates.