00:01The blaze was intense and the building historic.
00:04Though an emergency crew including eight fire engines worked through the night to save the grade 2 listed building,
00:10only when the dust settled on the Northfleet fire did the true scale of the loss become clear.
00:16Absolutely appalling, it's the worst day in Northfleet's history since the war, the loss of a building of this importance.
00:24Just before 11.30pm last night fire crews were called to put out a flame which had engulfed the Portland's factory club building behind me.
00:32Now although the flame has been put out and severe structural damage has been avoided, as you can see the high street is still cordoned off.
00:39Although empty for more than 30 years, the property was once a hub for the area and has a history dating back centuries.
00:46For this reason, the disruption runs deeper than a few temporary roadblocks.
00:51According to local historian and guide Christopher Bull.
00:55It was opened in 1878 and it was built by Thomas Bevan, the owner of the Northfleet Cement Works.
01:02It was built especially as a three dimensional advert to show what bricks and concrete could do, what it could build.
01:13This is a building full of detail, architectural detail, interesting building, absolutely a great loss and sadly that most people in Northfleet don't even realise it.
01:26In their latest update, Kent Fire and Rescue Service said,
01:29Crews are continuing to advise those travelling in the Northfleet area to avoid the high street due to road closures from firefighting operations.
01:36Asked for comment, Kent Police added,
01:38Emergency services remain at the scene and the high street adjacent to the damaged building along with part of the factory remain closed.
01:45An investigation is underway into the cause of the fire.
01:48But what is certain is that a slice of Gravesham history has been lost forever.
01:53Alfie Rowe for KMTV in Northfleet.
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