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Hundreds of quake homes damaged Hundreds of quake homes damaged
(10 minutes later)
Hundreds of houses in Folkestone have been damaged by the earthquake which struck parts of Kent.Hundreds of houses in Folkestone have been damaged by the earthquake which struck parts of Kent.
Council officials say 73 buildings are so dangerous residents cannot return to them because of loose chimney stacks, tiles and masonry.Council officials say 73 buildings are so dangerous residents cannot return to them because of loose chimney stacks, tiles and masonry.
They have received 474 calls from people worried about the impact of the 4.3 magnitude tremor on their homes.They have received 474 calls from people worried about the impact of the 4.3 magnitude tremor on their homes.
The quake which struck on Saturday morning was the largest to hit Britain since one in the West Midlands in 2002.The quake which struck on Saturday morning was the largest to hit Britain since one in the West Midlands in 2002.
It struck at around 0819 BST but resulted in only one person, a 30-year-old woman, suffering minor head injuries. It struck at 0819 BST but resulted in only one person, a 30-year-old woman, suffering minor head injuries.
Most residents forced from their homes sought refuge with families and friends, but a small number had to be housed in emergency accommodation.Most residents forced from their homes sought refuge with families and friends, but a small number had to be housed in emergency accommodation.
DAMAGED PROPERTIES 474 properties reported damaged by earthquake73 so dangerous that people cannot return 30 more where people have been advised not to return64 can be returned to but work must be done within 48 hoursDAMAGED PROPERTIES 474 properties reported damaged by earthquake73 so dangerous that people cannot return 30 more where people have been advised not to return64 can be returned to but work must be done within 48 hours
'No serious injuries''No serious injuries'
Folkestone and Hythe Conservative MP Michael Howard, who visited the Salvation Army rest centre where 10 people stayed overnight, said he was grateful that the community escaped relatively unscathed.Folkestone and Hythe Conservative MP Michael Howard, who visited the Salvation Army rest centre where 10 people stayed overnight, said he was grateful that the community escaped relatively unscathed.
"I think we have got off remarkably lightly. Obviously there is a fair amount of damage, a lot of chimney stacks down and it is tough on all those people who weren't able to spend the night at home."I think we have got off remarkably lightly. Obviously there is a fair amount of damage, a lot of chimney stacks down and it is tough on all those people who weren't able to spend the night at home.
"But when you consider there were no serious injuries and no real devastating damage to property, I think we have got off remarkably lightly.""But when you consider there were no serious injuries and no real devastating damage to property, I think we have got off remarkably lightly."
Teams of structural engineers and surveyors are assessing damaged buildings and co-operating closely with fire crews to make dangerous properties safe.Teams of structural engineers and surveyors are assessing damaged buildings and co-operating closely with fire crews to make dangerous properties safe.
Shepway District Council spokesman Jeff Stack said it would take days for the initial analysis of homes to be carried out.Shepway District Council spokesman Jeff Stack said it would take days for the initial analysis of homes to be carried out.
QUAKES IN THE UK December 2006 - Dumfries and Galloway (magnitude 3.5)September 2002 - Dudley, West Midlands (5.0)October 2001 - Melton Mowbray (4.1)September 2000 - Warwick (4.2) April 1990 - Bishop's Castle, Shropshire (5.1) July 1984 - Nefyn, north Wales (5.4)June 1931 - in North Sea near Great Yarmouth (6.1) Mother's lucky escapeQUAKES IN THE UK December 2006 - Dumfries and Galloway (magnitude 3.5)September 2002 - Dudley, West Midlands (5.0)October 2001 - Melton Mowbray (4.1)September 2000 - Warwick (4.2) April 1990 - Bishop's Castle, Shropshire (5.1) July 1984 - Nefyn, north Wales (5.4)June 1931 - in North Sea near Great Yarmouth (6.1) Mother's lucky escape
Building control teams from many other parts of Kent have been drafted in to help share the workload.Building control teams from many other parts of Kent have been drafted in to help share the workload.
Experts from the British Geological Survey said the epicentre of the quake was 7.5 miles off the Dover coast in the English Channel.Experts from the British Geological Survey said the epicentre of the quake was 7.5 miles off the Dover coast in the English Channel.
It brought down power lines with several thousand homes affected, but EDF Energy Networks said service were quickly restored in the Folkestone and Dover areas.
Kent Fire and Rescue Service took more than 400 emergency calls about concerns ranging from structural damage to gas smells.Kent Fire and Rescue Service took more than 400 emergency calls about concerns ranging from structural damage to gas smells.
The earthquake brought down power lines with several thousand homes affected, but EDF Energy Networks said service were quickly restored in the Folkestone and Dover areas.