Residents in Mill View in Willesborough, near Ashford, reported hearing an explosion that shook the street at about 8am
The first pictures of the aftermath of this morning’s explosion near Ashford show the carnage caused by the blast.
The immediate aftermath of the explosion that took place in Mill View, Willesborough. The devastation has resulted in a number of people having to be rescued.
A police spokesman said: “Officers from Kent Police are currently working alongside colleagues from Kent Fire and Rescue Service and South East Coast Ambulance Service after being called to a report of an explosion in Mill View, Willesborough, Ashford at 7.57am on Tuesday.
“A number of people were reported to have been trapped and they were freed by emergency services. Officers are working to establish if anyone else is unaccounted for.
“Officers are advising people to avoid the area and asking local people to keep their windows closed.”
This comes after new laws that make the flat owners foot the bill for removing flammable cladding are “indefensible,” say Grenfell Tower survivors and relatives. The new Fire Safety Bill is aimed at making homes safer following the 2017 disaster that took place at Grenfell Tower, in which 72 people sadly lost their lives.
Residents reported hearing the explosion at about 8am today.
Some people living in houses along Osbourne Road, Church Road, Willesborough Lees and by the Windmill all reported feeling their houses shake as a result of the explosion.
Emergency services are currently at the scene and several roads have been shut off.
“There is debris absolutely everywhere.”
One resident said: “It looks like just one house is on fire.
“There is debris absolutely everywhere.”
Police and residents in Mill View in Willesborough after this morning’s explosion. The scene in Osbourne Road.
Four fire engines have been sent. Gas engineers have also been called to the scene.
A spokesman said: “Kent Fire and Rescue Service is at the scene of a house fire following a reported explosion in Mill View, in Willesborough, Ashford.”
This comes after there has been an arson attack on the home of a serving police officer in Larne, County Antrim in Northern Ireland. The police officer, his wife and his daughter who were all in the house at the time of the arson attack were not injured.
The London Air Ambulance has also been sent and has landed in a field behind the homes in Osborne Road.
A South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) spokesperson said: “We can confirm our attendance at an incident in Mill View, Willesborough, Ashford, reported to us shortly before 8am.
“Ambulance crews including our Hazardous Area Response Team are at the scene with police and fire colleagues.
“The air ambulance service has also sent two road vehicles to the scene.
“We are assessing patients at the scene and will issue further details when available.”
