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Willesborough house explosion: Seven injured | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
"A number of people" were trapped as a result of the destruction, police said | "A number of people" were trapped as a result of the destruction, police said |
Seven people have been injured after an explosion left residents trapped in a row of terrace houses. | |
The front of a property in Mill View, Willesborough, Kent, was totally destroyed in the blast, which started a fire on the street at 08:00 BST. | |
Two people were taken to hospital to London with serious injuries, South East Coast Ambulance Service said. | |
Five others were taken to William Harvey Hospital in Ashford with injuries thought to be less serious. | |
The blaze is now under control, and fire crews are working to extinguish any remaining hotspots. | |
Earlier, Kent Police said "a number" of people had been trapped, and officers had been "working to establish if anyone else is unaccounted for". | |
Houses nearby were evacuated after the explosion shook the terraced homes | |
Chantel Weller, from Osborne Road, adjacent to the road where the explosion occurred, said: "We all felt our houses shake along this road. The whole house shook, and it felt like something had blown into the side of it. | Chantel Weller, from Osborne Road, adjacent to the road where the explosion occurred, said: "We all felt our houses shake along this road. The whole house shook, and it felt like something had blown into the side of it. |
"It wasn't very loud but it was a strange feeling. | "It wasn't very loud but it was a strange feeling. |
"People said they thought it might be a gas explosion, and it looks like the houses have been evacuated | "People said they thought it might be a gas explosion, and it looks like the houses have been evacuated |
"The whole area is cordoned off." | "The whole area is cordoned off." |
An update. pic.twitter.com/ZygUAdEBwd | An update. pic.twitter.com/ZygUAdEBwd |
People are being advised to avoid the area and keep windows and doors closed. | People are being advised to avoid the area and keep windows and doors closed. |
Seven fire crews are at the site, as well two road vehicles from the air ambulance. | |
Gas engineers have also been called. | |
Follow BBC South East on Facebook, on Twitter, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk. | Follow BBC South East on Facebook, on Twitter, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk. |