A “devastated” dad has spoken of his family’s heartbreak after the beach hut they waited six years for went up in flames, destroying “priceless memories”.

The hut on Minnis Bay, Birchington, was a “hub” for Lee Williams’ family, friends and even strangers in the community, and his two sons enjoyed using it for five summers.

However last Saturday, a blaze ripped through the structure, “obliterating” it and their belongings inside.

The 38-year-old explained: “I was at a football game and got a call from a beach hut neighbour saying that in the early hours of the morning, some of the huts had been set on fire.

“I went down there and mine was completely burnt to the ground.

“I spent almost 12 hours cleaning up the aftermath.”

The dad-of-two had been on a waiting list for six years before finally getting one of the sought-after sheds, for which he paid £1,000 a year.

Inside the shack was the children’s toys, wetsuits, shoes and a £400 inflatable kayak.

After five years of using the structure, Mr Williams' two sons, Connor, 12 and Riley, 8, had collected lots of “trinkets and little things off the beach” which were stored inside.

Riley was also distraught by the news and cried when he saw the damage.

His father, who works in real estate, recalled: “The kids’ things were literally obliterated.

“My little boy was in tears, he said ‘where's all my toys?’.

“He has ADHD so he doesn't like change, and he can look at something like the world’s rattiest old football and it will have so much meaning to him.”

“Everything inside it cost at least £1,000, but it’s the sentimental value that’s huge. It's priceless because of the memories and the good times we have had down there.

“We share it with my grandmother-in-law as she has no garden – it’s tragic.

“We’ve even let strangers on the beach use it.”

Mr Williams’ partner Marnie, who is eight months pregnant with their third child, has also found the fire very stressful.

Having no garden at their home in Westgate, they spent huge amounts of time at the shore in the warmer months.

Thankfully, the local community has rallied together to support the family, with local businesses helping to clear up the debris.

Clearaway Waste Removal helped remove the mountain of ashes left behind, and Albion Fencing has fast tracked an order for the family’s new beach-side retreat so that it will be there before summer is over.

Other residents have been donating to a GoFundMe page set up by Mr Williams’ sister for the cost of a new hut.

“I’ve been overwhelmed by the support,” he said.

“I’m very grateful.”

The dad hopes to see CCTV installed at the bay to stop this happening again.

Minnis Bay hut owners have long been victims of vandalism, theft and arson.

In 2018, two separate fires ripped through the area in two months.

Last September, thieves raided multiple huts along the promenade.

Mr Willams concluded: “We’ve made amazing memories there - I’m not going to let it beat me.

“We will make new memories.”

A fire service spokesman stated: “Firefighters were called at 3.37am on June 10 to reports of a beach hut alight in Minnis Bay, off Hengist Road, in Birchington.

“One fire engine attended and crews wearing breathing apparatus used a hose reel jet to put the fire out.

“The property was destroyed by the fire, and two others were damaged.

“No injuries were reported, and the cause is unknown.

“The fire was extinguished by 4.21am.”