Woman dies after bungalow explosion

Investigations into the cause of the blast and blaze continue

A woman who was taken to hospital after an explosion at a bungalow in Charing has died, a fire service said.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) sent five fire engines and a bulk water carrier to the property in Canterbury Road on Thursday following reports of a blast and blaze.

A woman, who has not been identified, was taken to hospital but has since died from her injuries, a KFRS spokesperson said on Friday.

A dog was handed into the care of a vet after emerging from the rubble following the explosion.

Investigations into the cause of the blast are ongoing.

A KFRS spokesperson said firefighting operations were completed at 21:30 BST on Thursday, after the fire was first reported at around 11:45 that morning.

Ambulance crews were called to the scene.

They treated the woman before she was airlifted to Kings College Hospital in London for further treatment, according to South East Coast Ambulance Service.

The road was temporarily closed as emergency services responded to the incident

Crews and fire investigators revisited the scene on Friday morning to make sure there were no "remaining hotspots".

People are no longer being advised to avoid the area and the road has re-opened.

The scene remained cordoned off on Friday afternoon, however.