A HUGE clear-up operation began today after an exploding gas cylinder sent a row of homes up in flames at Minster, near Sheerness.

Six fire engines from Sheppey and other parts of Kent were called to Minster Chalet Park off the Broadway at midday yesterday to tackle the blaze that had engulfed eight brick-built chalets.

A driver from W R G Pitney and Co based in Russell Street, Sheerness, had delivered a Calor gas cylinder to number 24 Hazel Grove, but it had exploded in his face.

He was taken to Medway Maritime Hospital, but his facial injuries were not thought to be life-threatening.

Owner of the business William Pitney said he raced down to the site as soon as he got the call. He said: "The driver is OK. I was talking to him in the ambulance but I think the cylinder burned his face and hair."

Crowds gathered as the flames spread to other chalets on the block, with some owners devastated at watching helplessly as their homes collapsed.