A woman has died after suffering serious injuries in a bungalow explosion yesterday.
The incident in Canterbury Road, Charing, sparked a huge emergency, with police, fire and ambulance crews called to the scene.
A woman was airlifted to King’s College Hospital in London in a serious condition following the blast at about 11.30am.
Tragically, Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) have today confirmed she has died from her injuries.
At its height, five fire engines, a bulk water carrier and a fire investigation team were at the scene of the explosion, while the road remained closed until late into the night.
Fire crews only left the scene at 9.30pm yesterday after a gruelling nine-and-a-half hour battle to dampen down the site, at which point it was handed back over to police.
They are not yet able to determine what caused the explosion, but both KFRS and neighbours say the property has totally collapsed.
A KFRS spokesperson said: “Kent Fire and Rescue Service can now confirm that the woman taken to hospital following the explosion and fire yesterday in Canterbury Road, Charing, has died.
“The investigation into the cause of the explosion continues.
“Crews and fire investigation officers have revisited the scene of a bungalow fire, following an explosion, this morning on Canterbury Road in Charing.
“This is to make sure there are no remaining hotspots, and to continue the investigation into the cause.”
There is no further update yet regarding the status of a dog which walked out of the rubble in the aftermath, with a nearby vet taking it into their care,
Neighbours revealed how “everything shook” following the explosion, which saw debris rain down on their homes and black smoke billow into the sky.
One said: “It was an unimaginable bang – everything shook and you can see where the bungalow was.
“You wouldn’t wish it on anyone.”
