A BUILDING caught fire in Swanley yesterday (May 15) after a man tried to light a garden bonfire using petrol.

Two fire engines from Dartford and Thames-side stations were called to Button Street at 2.20pm.

Dartford crew manager, Gary Miller, said: “As the rag was lit, the vapours from the petrol ignited causing a momentary fireball.

“The man dropped the rag and as he moved to a place of safety, he knocked over a petrol container that was stored close by, spilling the contents onto wooden decking and close to an adjacent brick built outhouse.”

Crews put out the blaze shortly after 3pm but remained at the scene removing roof tiles to check for hot spots and damping down until 3.45pm.

Mr Miller added: “Unfortunately this man underestimated the consequences of putting petrol onto a fire. Our advice is never use any type of accelerant on a fire.

“He was lucky to escape without any injuries but half the building and roof were destroyed and our crews worked extremely hard to prevent the fire spreading to a neighbouring shed.”

Did you see the fire? Call the newsdesk on 01689 885734 or e-mail sam.christie@london.newsquest.co.uk