Work starts to replace homes badly damaged in Kent explosion that ripped through street

Work has now started in Mill View
-Credit: (Image: Ashford Borough Council)


Work has started on building new homes to replace a row of houses that were badly damaged following an explosion at Mill View in Willesborough in 2021. The incident happened just before 8am on May 4, 2021 when an explosion ripped through the street, shattering windows.

While some were trapped and evacuated during the incident, a total of seven were injured with five taken to the William Harvey Hospital and two taken to a London hospital with what was described as "life-changing" injuries. The incident happened at house number 15 affecting neighbouring properties.

It took hours before residents living nearby were allowed back in. Three council-owned properties and one privately owned home were badly damaged in the explosion.

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A Kent Fire and Rescue Service investigation later found was caused by a leak from a portable gas heater in one of the homes. Alternative accommodation was provided for the people affected.

Several firefighters and forensic personnel were on the scene at Mill View in Ashford, after a huge explosion ripped through a house on the street
Several firefighters and forensic personnel were on the scene at Mill View in Ashford, after a huge explosion ripped through a house on the street -Credit:KentLive

Now contractor Jenner has begun construction of two three-bedroom homes and two two-bedroom homes on the cleared site where 13, 15, 17 and 19 Mill View previously stood. The new homes will be built to a high standard, with a focus on energy efficiency, including solar panels on roofs.

Measures have also been included that will help ‘future-proof’ the properties – straight stairs that would allow a stair-lift to be installed if required, and square shaped bathrooms so they could easily be converted into a wet room.

The explosion on Mill View in Ashford on Tuesday (May4) has left absolute destruction, as a crane is used to allow fire fighters to assess the damage
The explosion on Mill View in Ashford on Tuesday (May4) has left absolute destruction, as a crane is used to allow fire fighters to assess the damage -Credit:KentLive

Work on building the four new homes in Mill View is expected to be completed by August 2025. Cllr Noel Ovenden, Leader of Ashford Borough Council and Portfolio Holder for Housing & Homelessness, said: “I'm passionate about providing genuinely affordable quality housing for everyone, so I'm thrilled that our Housing team is working on a project to replace the homes that were sadly destroyed by fire.

The first look at what the four homes are set to look like
The first look at what the four homes are set to look like -Credit:Ashford Borough Council

“These new homes will be built to a higher standard, with green features and future-proof designs that can adapt to changing needs.”

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