AN EARTHQUAKE has sent shock waves throughout East Kent.

Emergency services headed for Folkestone following the tremor - at about 8.20am on Saturday - and sealed off various streets, mainly around Blackbull Road.

Fire crews and police quickly set up camp around the Black Bull pub while the country's media descended on the shocked community.

The tremor, reported by the British Geological Survey as measuring 4.3 on the Richter scale, was felt in Ashford, Hythe, Hawkinge, Dover, Deal and East Sussex.

But it was Folkestone where the effects were felt most profoundly. Chimney stacks crashed to the ground and windows cracked.

The Salvation Army set up a refuge in Canterbury Road for those evacuated from their homes.

No serious injuries have so far been reported, although the South East Coast Ambulance Service did report one woman in her 30s being taken to hospital with a minor head injury and neck pain.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service received its first call at 8:19am. Six appliances and a height vehicle were sent to Pavilion Road in Folkestone after reports of structural damage to a building.

A specialist team from KFRS’s Urban Search and Rescue unit accompanied three appliances to Radnor Park Crescent after reports that a person was trapped under a collapsed building. All persons have since been accounted for.

One appliance was sent to Penfold Road after reports of a smell of gas and officers are also checking two incidents of chimneys being left in a dangerous position.

About 65,000 homes and businesses were hit by a power cut in an area between Dover and Hythe. There were also reports of scores of gas leaks.

A senior fire officer said: "It was a very frightening and disorienting experience for people in the area."

Some people feared there had been a huge explosion.

Kent Police mobilised a helicopter and the force's Marine Unit in response to the incident.

The tremor triggered fire alarms across the region, which led to hotels and businesses being evacuated.

Acting fire watch manager in Folkestone Mike Godden said: "I was wondering if a plane had been brought down, or part of the Channel Tunnel had collapsed, which had rocked the ground and caused this damage.

"We had been sat at the breakfast table and it felt as if someone had driven a lorry into the fire station. It was a major impact. It shook violently."

Shepway council has given out telephone numbers for people affected by the earthquake.

Jeff Stack, corporate director for planning and the environment, reminded homeowners to contact the relevant numbers, at a press conference held in Blackbull Road.

He said: "One or two people have been phoning us or the emergency services about gas leaks. Transco have given the number for people to ring - 0800 111999."

Richter Scale for 4.0 to 4.9: Noticeable shaking of indoor items, rattling noises. Significant damage unlikely. There are an estimated 6,200 quakes of this magnitude per year.

Tell us if you felt the tremor - email kentonlinenews@thekmgroup.co.uk