Two families homeless as house goes up in flames

sawilliams@thekmgroup.co.uk two dogs, were forced to flee from the burning building after the house in Brenchley Close caught alight.

Mrs Horton’s son, Thomas, 18, and her husband Mark were out when the fire broke out at around 5.15pm.

The two-storey, semi-detached, end of terrace house was completely gutted by the blaze.

The neighbouring house also suffered water and smoke damage, although no one is believed to have been in at the time.

Around 40 firefighters, some wearing breathing apparatus, tackled the blaze.

At its height, six fire engines, a height vehicle and a bulk water carrier were all involved in putting out the flames.

Neighbour Shannon Powellwas at home in nearby Kilndown Close when the fire broke out.

She said: “At first the flames were coming out of the roof, and then out of the windows.

“The roof collapsed, and then it looked like the first floor collapsed.

“There were loads of fire engines – the whole street was filled with them. We were worried the house was going to explode.”

At 7.20pm, the firefighting presence had been reduced to three fire engines.

Neither family were able to return to their houses on Monday night due to the extensive damage. Both are now believed to be either staying with family or in a hotel.

Police have now launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fire.

Forensic experts examined the scene on Tuesday morning but the cause is being treated as unexplained.

A spokesman for Kent Police said: “We are investigating the circumstances around a house fire at Brenchley Close in Ashford.

“Police were called at 17.35pm on Monday to a semi-detached house. One of the occupants was inside at the time but she escaped unhurt.

“Forensic experts examined the remains of the house on Tuesday morning.”