An elderly couple have been left “devastated” after a fierce fire ripped through their home, destroying a large part of the property.

Kath Punyer, 65, and her husband Derek Richards, 78, had lived in their council bungalow in Hawthorn Close, Aylesham, for more than a decade before it was engulfed in flames last night.

Their daughter, Sarah Brice, 43, from Herne Bay, said the experience has left them both traumatised.

“My mum was sitting watching TV and her husband was in the bedroom when neighbours started waving and screaming ‘get out’ towards their front window,” she said.

“Then all of a sudden, they heard a big explosion. She ran to the back door, but the flames were already coming into the house.

“Derek had built a little shelter outside to hang the washing under – it was completely up in flames. She said the flames were like 10 feet tall.”

In the chaos, Ms Punyer struggled to get out through the front door after misplacing the key, but thankfully managed to escape.

Moments later, there were two more loud explosions.

The blaze started near the kitchen, but outside the main building, with three fire crews called to the scene shortly before 5pm.

Firefighters wearing breathing gear doused the flames, which had spread to the bungalow’s roof and a nearby shed.

A volunteer response team was also in attendance to provide support to the couple. No injuries were reported.

Photos taken after the fire show the roof severely damaged, with melted beams and signs of extensive fire and water damage throughout the property.

“We don’t know when they’ll be allowed back,” Sarah added.

“And they didn’t have home insurance. My mum always thought, ‘It’s not going to happen to us’.”

“She’s devastated. Her heart’s already weak, and she’s been in and out of the hospital over the years. She had a bleed on the brain about eight years ago.

“Even Derek – he never cries – and he was crying his eyes out yesterday.”

The couple were given emergency hotel accommodation in Canterbury for one night, but their family say they are now effectively homeless – and angry at the response from Dover District Council.

According to Sarah, the council has refused to provide temporary housing unless the couple gives up their pet dog, a shih tzu called Joe, whom Kath has had for three years.

“They were told by the council they wouldn’t be offered accommodation if they had the dog with them,” she said.

“But my mum got that dog to help her cope with her health problems.

“She’s not getting rid of him – it would be like losing another family member.

“The council should be doing more. They’re both disabled. Especially after a trauma like this, to ask her to give up the dog – I just don’t understand it.”

Sarah says she offered to take her parents into her own home temporarily, but claims this could affect their right to be rehoused.

She has since set up a Gofundme and aims to raise £1500 towards the repairs.

“It’s heartbreaking,” she added. “They’ve got nowhere to go tonight.”

A spokesperson for DDC said: “We do sympathise with the family and understand the difficulties here.

“We are not able to comment on individual circumstances, however, we are doing everything we can to help in this matter.”