Emergency services were called to a serious house fire on Earlsworth Road in Willesborough, Ashford, during the early hours of Wednesday morning. Kent Fire and Rescue Service arrived at the scene at approximately 03:02 on 14 January 2026, where they encountered a well-developed blaze.
At the height of the incident, seven fire engines and a height vehicle were deployed to manage the situation. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus worked through the night, utilizing high-pressure hose reel jets and securing water from nearby hydrants to bring the flames under control. The operation continued for nearly five hours, with crews concluding the main firefighting efforts by 07:53am.
Two individuals were handed into the care of South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) paramedics after suffering from the effects of smoke inhalation. Kent Police were also in attendance to assist with the coordinated response. While the fire has now been extinguished, the area remains under observation. The exact cause of the fire has not yet been determined and remains under investigation.