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No cause found for explosion at Clarion flat in Catlyn Close, East Malling

The cause of a flat explosion, which injured three people and left a family with no possessions, is still unknown four months later.

On February 19, emergency services were called to Catlyn Close in East Malling at around 7pm where a ground floor flat in an apartment building suddenly burst into flames.

Police outside flat when it exploded in February
Police outside flat when it exploded in February

Shockwaves erupted from the building breaching the windows and causing the houses opposite to shake.

Tenant, Megan Holland was taken to hospital along with her husband Lee and neighbour Curtis Bailey-Rae.

Speaking to KentOnline a couple days after, the 31-year-old said: “I was watching my kids in the bath while my husband was in the kitchen.

“We were just winding down for the evening when it happened.

Luckily my kids were in the bath because a few minutes more and they’d have been in the front room. You would’ve been reporting about four dead bodies.

Megan and Lee Holland at the Travelodge with sons Rilee (right) and Sonny (left)
Megan and Lee Holland at the Travelodge with sons Rilee (right) and Sonny (left)

The children escaped any injuries but Megan and Lee suffered burns across one fifth of their bodies.

After being discharged, housing association Clarion put the family up in the Travelodge in Maidstone for six weeks.

“We lost everything except the clothes on our backs.” continued Megan. Someone needs to be held accountable, it could’ve killed my family.”

Curtis also wanted answers for endangering himself and Megan’s family. He said: “Kids could've been injured. However it was caused, I want them to be in serious trouble for this because I saw my life flash before my eyes.

"I want there to be an outcome where they understand I could've lost my life; someone needs to do something about that.”

But four months on no definitive answer has been found as to the cause of the explosion.

Curtis Bartley-Rae wanted answers for the explosion
Curtis Bartley-Rae wanted answers for the explosion

Kent Fire and Rescue conducted an investigation which concluded in February but officers were unable to find a cause.

A spokesman said: “The reason for the explosion is unknown. Duty of care was left with Kent Police and the responsible housing association was also informed for any re-homing requirements for the affected residents.

“A local authority building surveyor confirmed no further damage to the rest of the building.”

Police was asked about the incident at the time and a spokesman said: “At around 7.15pm on Sunday, Kent Police was called by South East Coast Ambulance Service to an address in Catlyn Close, East Malling.

“Officers attended the scene where they assisted Kent Fire and Rescue Service.”

When asked again, police had nothing further to add to their original comment but the force said the incident was not being treated as suspicious.

Workers placing wood board over the smashed windows. It is still there today
Workers placing wood board over the smashed windows. It is still there today

Kent Police advised asking the housing company for more information and when approached a Clarion spokesman said: “The findings of the Kent Police and fire authority’s investigation were inconclusive, however there was no evidence that the incident was linked to the main line gas or any other fault within the property.

“The residents involved have now been relocated to another home and we are currently preparing the property to be available for rental.”

Megan’s family are now living in a two-bed house a couple of roads away from their original flat.

She said: “I have been asking to move to a house for five years but they never would.

“It took losing everything for it to finally happen.”

The family say have had very little contact with Clarion and no indication as to what caused the explosion.

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