POLICE say they believe a fire at a bungalow in a Kent village started after a boiler exploded.

Fire crews were called to the detached property in Hornash Lane, Shadoxhurst, near Ashford, early on Wednesday morning.

Pumps from Ashford, Aldington and Hythe attended. They had been alerted shortly before 6.30am that the roof of the property was alight.

The firefighters were supported by a water unit from Ashford and further crews from Wye and Folkestone. The road had to be closed for a time.

Although no one needed to be rescued and nobody was injured, a Red Cross Victim Support Unit also attended.