A MYSTERY explosion triggered a large response from the fire service on Monday afternoon.

Crews from all over Medway and Maidstone descended on Rochester Railway Station when some nearby garages rapidly went up in flames after reports of a loud explosion.

Nearby flats were also slightly damaged as the fire began to take hold in Bath Hard Lane.

Hundreds of rush-hour commuters were left stranded as train services were cancelled while fire officers battled against the blaze under Rochester Railway Bridge at about 4pm.

Sandi Digby heard the explosion and dialled 999.

She said: "I was in my house when I heard this loud explosion so I looked out the window and saw the flames.

"I rang 999 and by the time I came outside to have a closer look the fire had spread to the trees and to the other side of the railway tracks."

Fire crews left the scene at 6pm after a two-hour fight to extinguish the flames.