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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| 'Cannabis factory' found after Ashford homes blast | 'Cannabis factory' found after Ashford homes blast |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A suspected cannabis factory has been found at the scene of an explosion that badly damaged several homes in Kent. | A suspected cannabis factory has been found at the scene of an explosion that badly damaged several homes in Kent. |
| Residents were evacuated from nine flats in Oak Tree Road after the blast at about 16:00 BST on Monday. | Residents were evacuated from nine flats in Oak Tree Road after the blast at about 16:00 BST on Monday. |
| A man in his 20s was taken to hospital and four others were treated by paramedics following the fire. | A man in his 20s was taken to hospital and four others were treated by paramedics following the fire. |
| Kent fire investigators and police said cannabis plants were found in one property but they do not think they contributed to the blaze at this stage. | Kent fire investigators and police said cannabis plants were found in one property but they do not think they contributed to the blaze at this stage. |
| The suspected gas explosion completely destroyed one property and ripped through the roofs of two others. | The suspected gas explosion completely destroyed one property and ripped through the roofs of two others. |
| BBC South East reporter Simon Jones said the force of the blast also smashed windows and blew people's possessions into the street. | BBC South East reporter Simon Jones said the force of the blast also smashed windows and blew people's possessions into the street. |
| Kent Police said it was investigating the suspected cannabis factory that was discovered at the scene. | Kent Police said it was investigating the suspected cannabis factory that was discovered at the scene. |
| The Health and Safety Executive has also started an inquiry into the explosion at the council-owned homes. | The Health and Safety Executive has also started an inquiry into the explosion at the council-owned homes. |
| Resident Tracey Robinson said she was "gutted" following the explosion. | |
| "That's everything I've worked for - everything's gone," she said. | |
| "Hopefully I can get another place - I don't know, I'll have to see what the council says." | |
| Gerry Clarkson, from Ashford Borough Council, said: "The fact that we only have two people injured... is really quite a miracle." |