Flats gas blast inquiry launched

A police investigation has been launched into a suspected gas explosion at an empty block of flats that injured six children.

Kent Police said they were treating the blast in Marine Parade, Folkestone, Kent, as suspicious.

Five children, who police described as "young teenagers or pre-teens", were treated at Ashford's William Harvey Hospital for superficial wounds.

A 13-year-old boy remains in hospital to be treated for burns.

He is said to be in a stable condition.

A spokeswoman for Kent Police said officers would be speaking to the children when they were considered well enough to talk.

She said: "The explosion is still under investigation and is currently being treated as suspicious."

Emergency services were called to the property at around 1745 BST on Saturday.

A spokesman for Kent Fire and Rescue Service, which sent four engines to the scene, said the explosion caused 80% damage to three floors of the five-storey building.