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A neighbour's told how she thought a house was going to explode after a woman fled the Ashford inferno.
Shannon Powell was speaking after witnessing flames engulf a house in Brenchley Close, Stanhope - causing entire floors to collapse.
Around 40 firefighters tackled the blaze in a two-storey, semi-detached home at around 5.15pm last night.
At its height, six fire engines, a height vehicle and a bulk water carrier were all involved in putting out the flames.
A woman was inside at the time, but she escaped without injuries. She is believed to have fled with her two children.
Neighbour Ms Powell was at home in Kilndown Close when the fire broke out just after 5pm.
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.”
Following the fire, hundreds of people from across Ashford have joined a Facebook group, titled ‘Please help a family who have lost everything tonight’.
“There were loads of fire engines...we were worried the house was going to explode” - Shannon Powell
The group is calling for donations for the family to be dropped at the British Volunteer pub, in New Street, Ashford.
Anything from clothing, money, gift vouchers or toiletries is welcome.
Now police have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fire.
Forensic experts were examining the remains of the house this morning.
Video: The fire at its height - and the shell of the home this morning
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