Suspected gas explosion injures seven in Kent
Seven people have been injured in a suspected gas explosion which destroyed a terraced house in Kent.
Firefighters were called to the property on Mill View in Willesborough, Ashford, just before 8am on Tuesday and four fire engines were dispatched to extinguish the blaze.
Two people have been airlifted to hospital in London with serious injuries while five others were taken to hospital in Ashford by ambulance.
Residents wearing pyjamas were spotted running out of the burning building as debris flew across the street.
A team of gas engineers were at the scene of what is believed to be a gas explosion.
A Kent Police spokesman said: "The cause is yet to be established but at this stage the incident is not being treated as suspicious.
"A number of people were reported to have been trapped in the rubble and were rescued. All residents are now accounted for."
Members of the public have been urged to avoid the area and residents have been asked to keep their windows closed.
A South East Coast Ambulance Service spokesperson said: "Two patients have been taken to hospital in London with serious injuries. A further five patients have been taken to William Harvey Hospital in Ashford with injuries thought to be less serious."
Graham Galpin, Conservative candidate for the area, said a heroic passerby tried to help get people out of the house.
"I think there was an act of heroism where a man pulled some people from the wreckage," said Mr Galpin.
"He was very shaken up by what he saw. Somebody told him there were other people in there but he couldn't get back inside."
Chantal Weller, 20, said she felt her house shake "like something had literally flown into the side of it".
The journalism student, who lives one street away from the explosion, said: "It didn't make a lot of noise, but there was a big shudder.
"I walked out onto the street and could see lots of police cars whizzing past down Osborne Road to get to the house. There were people everywhere because of the school run."
