Sonic boom in East of England damaged garden ornament and garage

The MoD said Typhoon fighter aircraft were launched in August and one caused a sonic boom

A person complained after a sonic boom apparently damaged a garden fountain, a porch, and part of a garage.

The loud bang shook homes at about 21:30 BST on 30 August and was heard in parts of Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire and Lincolnshire.

The Ministry of Defence confirmed at the time it was caused by a Typhoon fighter aircraft from RAF Coningsby.

A spokesman said the MoD had one complaint about damage but no claim had yet been submitted for compensation.

Typhoon fighter aircraft from the Lincolnshire station were launched from Quick Reaction Alert in August "due to a civilian aircraft that had lost communications", the MoD said.

"Authorisation was given for one to go supersonic", which led to the sonic boom, the spokesman said.

A sonic boom is caused when planes fly faster than the speed of sound.

On this occasion, communications with the civilian plane were regained and the Typhoon returned to its base.

A number of people at the time reported hearing the sonic boom, and said doors blew open and houses shook, but under a Freedom of Information Act (2000) request, the MoD told the BBC only one complaint had been received about the incident.

A spokesman said: "I can confirm that one person has submitted an initial written complaint to the department about the sonic boom and also stated that the sonic boom had cracked the concrete apron in front of a garage, blown an architectural fountain visibly to one side, caused structural damage to the porch.

"However, this individual has not subsequently submitted a formal compensation claim and we have not received any other claims."

The MoD did not give details about the location of the complainant.