Two children who were arrested on suspicion of causing a town centre fire have been released without charge.

A huge emergency service presence was in Sandling Road, Maidstone, on Monday, August 22, for three hours after a two-storey building caught alight.

At its height, eight fire engines and a height vehicle attended to extinguish the flames in the building – which consists of an undercover car park and disused office space.

In the coming days three schoolboys - aged 12, 13 and 14 -were arrested and later bailed until today.

Now, police have confirmed two of the boys were released without charge, while the 14-year-old was released pending further investigation.

People working in nearby buildings, including the Demelza Shopping Outlet, were forced to evacuate while emergency services dealt with the car park fire.

One witness who was near the Hare & Hounds pub said he could see smoke billowing from the building before a large emergency service response arrived on scene.

While our reporter at the scene said the road had been closed to traffic close to Maidstone East railway station, but people were still able to use the path.

No injuries were reported.