A fatal explosion that tragically claimed the life of a mum-of-five is believed to have been triggered by gas in her kitchen, an inquest has heard.
Charlane Burvill suffered severe burns after the devastating blast at her home in Charing, near Ashford, on the morning of September 19.
Bystanders rushed to the 60-year-old’s Canterbury Road property to find her outside in a state of shock, talking and trying to get into her car as further explosions rang out.
An inquest into her death opened at Maidstone’s Oakwood House yesterday and was told how she was airlifted to London’s King’s College Hospital.
Tragically, at 9am the next day doctors decided they had no choice but to withdraw life support and she died shortly after, the court heard.
During the hearing, Coroner Catherine Wood described the cause of her death as 95% burns from a domestic explosion.
“Members of the public found Mrs Burvill outside badly burned and talking and trying to get into her car. The house continued exploding,” she said.
A “significant” kitchen liquified petroleum gas (LPG) explosion is suspected to have triggered the blast shortly before midday, the inquest was told.
The incident sparked a huge emergency response, with police, fire and ambulance crews called to the scene.
Nearby residents and shopkeepers were evacuated, with police cordons blocking access to Canterbury Road.
Mrs Burvill’s dog walked from the rubble to fire crews and was placed under the care of a vet.
Kent Fire and Rescue Service is yet to release the final results of its investigations into the cause of the explosion.
Mrs Burvill, a receptionist, lived at the property with husband John, a motor mechanic, with the couple regularly visited by their five adult children.
Ms Wood adjourned the inquest until January 10.
A spokesman for Kent Fire and Rescue Service said after the hearing: “‘The cause is believed to be accidental but forensic tests are still ongoing.”
