HOMES were evacuated amid fears of an explosion as firefighters tackled a blaze involving industrial vehicles and wooden pallets.

Fire crews were called to the incident in Fairbourne Lane, Harrietsham, near Maidstone, just after 11.30am yesterday.

A tractor, a trailer and the pallets were well alight and people living nearby were asked to leave their homes when it was discovered that one of the vehicles contained an acetylene cylinder.

The road was closed in both directions and a 200m exclusion zone was put in place around the site.

Firefighters expect it to remain in place until sometime this afternoon. The road is due to reopen at around 4pm.