Fire-hit restaurant raising funds to support staff

A family restaurant which was hit by a fire on Sunday says it is doing "everything" it can to support staff after a fundraising page was set up in aid of the business.

The Hengist restaurant in Aylesford, Kent, was damaged by a blaze which burned through the building in the early hours of Sunday morning, with its owners saying they were "deeply heartbroken" by the incident.

More than £2,000 has since been raised for the restaurant, based in a Grade-II listed building on Aylesford High Street.

A spokesperson for the restaurant said on social media that its priority was to continue to pay staff while it works to reopen.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service said eight fire engines were initially sent to the restaurant just after midnight on Sunday, before eventually leaving the scene at about 04:20 BST.

No injuries were reported during the blaze, it added.

A restaurant spokesperson previously thanked the community for their support, adding: "It truly means everything to us right now."

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