AN EXPLOSION erupted inside a dustcart that was collecting domestic rubbish for re-cycling in Lamberhurst, near Tunbridge Wells, early today.

The loud bang, at about 7.30am, brought worried residents out of their homes in Sand Road and Town Hill. They waw smoke pouring from within the vehicle.

Fire crews from Matfield and Wadhurst were quickly on the scene, but a fire and rescue service spokeswoman said that the blaze proved difficult to extinguish because it was within the contained vehicle.

Overhead power cables were also affected by the heat and Seeboard engineers were called. Nobody was injured in the incident. It is not yet known what caused the explosion.

Julie Mellor, client services manager at Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, said that a replacement vehicle had been quickly despatched to complete the round. She offered the council’s apologies to anyone whose rubbish was collected later than usual.

The first vehicle was recovered by a breakdown truck.