Six children have been injured in a suspected gas explosion police said tonight.

Officers said they were treating the blast at an empty block of flats in Marine Parade, Folkestone, Kent as suspicious after emergency services were called to the property at around 5.45pm today.

A spokesman for Kent Police said: "Six children, all thought to be young teenagers or pre-teens, were taken to the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford mainly suffering from superficial wounds.

A victim injured in the suspected gas explosion is taken to hospital

"A 13-year-old boy received burns but his injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.

"Police investigating this incident will be speaking to the children about the explosion and are currently treating it as suspicious."

He added that the building was believed to be vacant and that no one else was unaccounted for.

A spokesman for Kent Fire and Rescue Service which sent four engines to the scene said the explosion caused 80% damage to three floors of the five-storey building.

Anyone who was in the area at the time of the blast or anyone with any further information is urged to call Folkestone Police Station on 01305 850055.

Police are treating as suspicious a 'gas explosion' at an empty block of flats

Firecrews at the scene of the blast in Folkestone, Kent