A Ford Transit van crashed through a fence and burst into flames at Eastchurch tonight.

The village was cordoned off to traffic as retained fire-fighters from Eastchurch battled to put out the blaze which at one stage spread to a tree which had been hit by the van.

Ambulance crews were called after a caller reported that the van driver had suffered head injuries but it is understood the driver was no longer at the scene by the time the paramedics arrived.

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Brothers Brian and Simon Snow were in their father Wilf’s house when the white van careered through their garden fence.

Brian, 42, said: “We both heard a huge bang at about 8.15pm. The entire house shook. I thought I was having a funny five minutes.”

By the time the pair ran outside the van was already alight.

Simon, 39, added: “At first the firemen thought the van might explode and kept everyone back because there was a warning sign on the rear door that gas cylinders were inside.”

It is believed the driver may have lost control after the van hit a speed ramp.

A Kent Fire and Rescue Service spokesman later confirmed there were no gas cylinders inside.