Frightened residents have described the moment their homes shook after the roar of a car explosion ripped through their street.

The blast rang out across Twydall shortly before 9pm after a car is reported to have hit a lamp post and burst into flames opposite MEMS in Beechings Way.

Fire crews worked to tame the blaze while paramedics assessed two men and one woman, who had been travelling in the vehicle when it crashed.

All have been taken to hospital and one is reported to be in a serious condition.

Neighbours reported how picture frames inside their homes shook as their front windows were illuminated by orange flames.

One resident reported the explosion could be heard as far away as Darlands Bank.

Brian Harding, 81, of Beechings Way, said: "First I heard a big bang, flash and explosion. All I saw was flames about 15 to 16 feet high.

"I thought next door had had a gas explosion. They carried someone off. Apparently it was a woman."

The pensioner added: "It took me right back to the Blitz in the East End."

Neighbour Jenna Brooks, 34, didn't witness the incident but heard the commotion from inside her home.

The 34-year-old had not long put her two boys to bed shortly before 9pm when she felt the house vibrate.

"It shook the house, it sounded like someone was battering my door in with a battering ram.

"I could see all the flames from the window. There were tons of people outside but I don't know what they all saw."

The mum-of-two reported a friend of hers had felt a "rumble" as far away as Darlands Bank.

This morning an electrical maintenance crew member from Medway Council was at the scene to assess the damage to lamp posts and other equipment.

The pavement by the mini-roundabout was scorched with black and white ash and the bulb of a street sign lamp had been completely melted.

Donna Stangroom, 45, lives on the same road, and was inside when she heard the blast.

"I've never heard a bang that loud before," she said.

"My little boy burst into tears. We thought it was kids playing with fireworks", adding it felt like it was happening on her doorstop.

She added: "I just saw the one car involved in a big ball of flames."

Firefighters extinguished the flames using a high pressure hose and assisted the three casualties.

A spokesman from the ambulance service said: "Three patients were assessed and treated at the scene before being taken to Medway Maritime Hospital by road.

"One of the patients was in a more serious condition but all were taken as priority patients to hospital."

A neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said the vehicle, which was completely destroyed by the fire, had been recovered earlier today.

There has been unconfirmed reports it was an LPG converter car, powered by liquefied petroleum gas.

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