Demolition of blast homes progressing

Work to tear down the last remaining properties in a terrace devastated by a gas explosion started this week.

Two people were left with life-changing injuries after the blast, sparked by a portable heater, ripped through homes in Mill View, Willesborough, back in May.

In all, four properties - three of which are owned by Ashford Borough Council (ABC) - are being pulled down following the explosion and subsequent fire that left the block uninhabitable.

There is still hope that any personal items left behind by families forced out by the blast.

“The work is expected to take about two weeks to complete,” an ABC spokesman said on Monday.

“Specialist contractors are due on site ahead of temporary scaffolding being erected around the properties.

“We have suggested that those affected by the tragedy might be able to come to the site gates and the demolition contractor can let them inspect any items that might have been able to be salvaged.

“The health and safety and wellbeing of residents, contractors and ABC staff is paramount and people will be unable to gain access to the site to sift through

the rubble.

“The contractors will carry out the demolition work in the safest way possible while remaining vigilant to anything they see that might be able to be retrieved.”

At the time of the incident, which happened just before 8am on May 4, Ethel Hanford, 99, and her son Donald, 75, were living in the home that housed the heater.

They were rescued by heroic builder Andy Hodges and his son Harry and were treated at the William Harvey Hospital along with three others.

The two people who suffered

serious injuries lived next to the Hanfords and were airlifted to hospital in London.

The borough council has confirmed it will rebuild the three council-owned properties once demolition work is complete.

In July, a family fun day held at the William Harvey pub in Church Road raised more than £1,000 for the victims of the explosion.

The money was donated to a campaign set up on JustGiving by Ben Farnham, which collected almost £12,500.

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The last homes are being demolished in Mill View