Homes evacuated as 'suspicious package' destroyed

The bomb squad has carried out a controlled explosion in Kent after police found a "suspicious package".

Kent Police found the item as they attended a fire just after 22:00 BST on Wednesday at a property in Dura Way, Folkestone.

Nearby residents were evacuated and the road was closed, they said.

An Explosive Ordnance Disposal team from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) carried out a controlled detonation as a precaution, the force added.

A woman living on a neighbouring street said police knocked on her door and told her her family needed to "leave immediately" at around 04:50 Thursday.

"We've got kids here - a teenager and two younger children - we've got dogs, cats and all that kind of stuff, so we were a bit concerned about that," she told the BBC.

"We're lucky we've got family nearby, so we went to stay with them".

The woman, who wished to remain anonymous, said six other properties were affected as well.

"We limited what we told the kids, but they were absolutely fine.

"I think they probably thought it was all a bit exciting," she added.

Inquiries into the incident are being carried out.

In a statement sent to the BBC on Thursday, the MoD said the "task was still ongoing".

"We are unable to provide any update currently," a spokesperson added.

Additional reporting by the BBC's UGC hub.

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