The fire broke out at one of the firm's four paper machines at the Sittingbourne site, causing damage to the press section of the machine and some roof panels.

The mill's PM3 paper is understood to have been undamaged by the fire, but production was briefly interrupted and is expected to resume shortly following safety checks.

It is expected that production on PM4 will resume within a few weeks following repairs to the machine and building.

A spokesman for Kent Fire and Rescue Services said that 15 engines were called out to deal with the fire. The cause of the blaze is said to be due to a mechanical fault.

Mill personnel and staff from service company Grovehurst Energy, also located at the site, contained the fire until the Kent fire brigade arrived.

It was completely extinguished before midnight and no staff were injured.

The division produces paper for making corrugated packaging. Kemsley Mill produces in excess of 800,000 tonnes of paper each year, mainly for use in the manufacture of corrugated packaging.

Approximately 580 people are employed by St Regis on the Kemsley site.