Eight people had a lucky escape after a car smashed into a house.

Emergency services were called to Southfields Way, Harrietsham, at 9pm on Saturday, where the group was evacuated from the property. Three people were checked over by paramedics.

No one was seriously injured.

Firefighters helped to make the scene safe, while the British Red Cross provided practical support to the residents.

The extent of the damage to the property is not yet known.

One of those moved out was a mum of four who had to spend the night with her children at a nearby Premier Inn, while fire and council teams assess the extent of the damage.

She said today: “We were just watching TV, and suddenly there was a huge bang.

“I’ve no idea how it happened but it was pretty scary.

“We’re lucky no one was badly hurt.

“We haven’t been told how long it will be before we can move back in.

“The car is still there at the moment and if they just took that away it might all come down, so we’ll have to wait and see what they say.”

Mum-of-four Hawa Larry, 34, who lives nearby, said: “I was asleep when it happened then I just saw this.

“Everyone came out of their houses. I was surprised, I didn’t know there were that many people living here.

“I told my kids to stay inside and didn’t tell them what had happened until this morning.

“Everyone was furiously shouting, it was quite scary, particularly because I just had a baby 12 days ago.

“This area is usually so quiet.

“Thankfully it doesn’t seem like anyone was hurt.”

Kent Police said it received a report of a single-vehicle crash at 8.55pm on Saturday.

A spokesperson added: "Officers attended the scene in Southfields Way in Harrietsham, along with Kent Fire and Rescue Service and the South East Coast Ambulance Service where damage to two properties was also reported.

"A man was taken to a local hospital. Council structural engineers have been made aware of the damage."

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