Fire crews have been dealing with a blaze at the Mantles Kia dealership in Royston overnight – and today an investigation into the incident has been launched.

At the peak of the blaze in York Way, eight fire engines – two from Cambridge, two Hitchin, and one each from Buntingford, Stevenage and Welwyn were mobilised to deal with the fire, which is believed to have started in a workshop area at the back of the two-storey building shortly before 6.30pm.

Much of the dealership became heavily smoked logged, and an area of the showroom became alight as well, a fire service spokesman has told the Crow.

The aerial ladder platform from Stevenage was used in the operation, as were three jets, breathing apparatus, a thermal imaging camera and a drone.

The spokesman said the fire – which has been declared accidental – is out, with firefighters still damping down in the last hour.

An investigation into the blaze has been launched today.