VANDALS who set off a firework in the early hours of Sunday morning could have cost someone their life, a shop owner has claimed.

The blast from the industrial-strength firework extensively damaged office windows and parked cars in Mill Street, Maidstone.

Maidstone and Malling police are appealing for witnesses to the incident which took place shortly after midnight with the a predicted repair bill of more than £5,000.

Antony Loucas, whose accountancy firm took the brunt of the impact, said it was a miracle that no-one was hurt.

He said: "The blast was strong enough to shatter thick panes of glass and upstairs windows at both my premises and the travel agent next door.

"The implications of what they have done is quite horrendous. If anyone had been near the explosion when it happened there's no doubt in my mind they would have been killed."

A police spokeswoman said: "This incident could have easily resulted in injury and it was an extremely dangerous and reckless thing to do.

"We want to warn those responsible that this is being taken very seriously and they will be caught."

Anyone who saw individuals acting suspiciously in the Mill Street area around the time of the incident should contact Det Sgt Mark Chapman on 01622 608182 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.