A house had to be evacuated following a gas leak early this morning.

And it is now thought the leak may have stemmed from an attempted theft of copper piping.

The incident happened at Darby Place, Folkestone at about 4.40am.

It is understood that police had responded to reports of two youths seen trying to steal piping and firefighters were called when the leak was discovered.

Folkestone Fire Station crew manager Andy Batchelor said: "We understand that police were called to the property following reports of two people stealing piping.

"When they smelt gas they evacuated the building and called us.

"When the gas contractors came they found a fractured pipe."

One couple fled the property, a house converted to flats, the leak was stopped and the scene was declared safe by gas workers an hour later.

Two fire crews waited at the scene on standby.

Mr Batchelor said: "This could have been disastrous. Any potential gas leak has a potential for explosion.

"You only have to remember the damage caused by the explosion in Sittingbourne recently."