A mushroom-shaped cloud was spotted from miles away after a gas explosion in Rochester, Kent.

Fire engines were sent to battle the blaze as a huge fire tore through an industrial building.

Witnesses said they saw gas bottles launched hundreds of feet in the air and the sounds of two explosions.

A former Royal Engineer who lives nearby said it reminded him of gas explosions he saw while working with the Army.

‘I was just concerned that nobody was hurt … because of that size of explosion, it’s going to blow a few windows out, that’s for sure,’ he added.

The terrifying incident happened in Vicarage Lane in Hoo, near Rochester, at 4.30am on Friday morning.

Joe Discipline, who lives nearby, said: ‘Around 4/4.30am a huge explosion shook the house and windows. I jumped out of bed to see the sky was orange.

‘There was then a second explosion, just as big, and that’s when I started to record.’

The cause of the explosion is still being investigated and there are no reports of any casualties.

A spokesman for Kent Fire and Rescue Service said: ‘Kent Fire and Rescue Service is at the scene of an industrial building fire on Vicarage Lane in Hoo, near Rochester.

‘Ten fire engines and a height vehicle are in attendance, and crews are working to tackle the blaze.

‘Firefighters are advising the public to avoid the area while the emergency services deal with the incident.’

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