A top-rated fish and chip shop has been forced to close after suffering from a fire in the early hours of the morning.
Crews were called to Beach 48 in Dymchurch High Street at about 4.30am, where a blaze had started inside the takeaway and restaurant.
Two engines attended the scene, though there were no reported injuries, and the cause has been identified as accidental.
But while the extent of the damage is not yet known, the fire has led bosses at Beach 48 to confirm it will have to shut to assess the situation.
In a statement, the business said: “We regret to inform you that our business is temporarily closed due to a fire incident.
“We are working hard to assess the damage and ensure the safety of our premises.
“Our staff and our customers are our top priority, we apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
“We will keep you updated on the progress and notify you as soon as we are able to reopen.”
According to TripAdvisor, Beach 48 is the highest-rated fish and chip store in Dymchurch, with an average rating of 4.4 stars from 372 reviews.
Some have even called it “the best” they’ve ever had, while its staff are frequently commended for their excellent service.
