Residents heard “loud bangs” and two homes were damaged after a car was found ablaze.

Police were called just after 4am today to a report of a disturbance at Clock Tower Mews near Holborough Road, Snodland.

Two fire engines also attended and crews wearing breathing apparatus tackled the flames using hose reel jets.

It was extinguished around 30 minutes later.

A spokeswoman added: “Two nearby properties were affected by heat damage from the fire.

“There were no reported injuries and the cause is being treated as suspicious.”

On social media, people living nearby described hearing “loud bangs” before police arrived – but couldn’t tell what was causing the noise.

One commented: “The bangs woke us up just before 4am. We saw the fire engine go past then come back.”

Officers remain at the scene and an investigation into the circumstances is underway.