A major emergency response was launched after reports of an explosion at an industrial estate.

Firefighters have now left the scene after almost five hours battling the blaze with police earlier shutting a main route due to the incident near Maidstone.

The A249 Detling Hill fully reopened at about 6pm after being closed off between Scragged Oak Road and Rumstead Lane at about 2.10pm today.

Residents reported hearing a loud bang while traffic information site Inrix reported an “explosion” occurred at the Detling Aerodrome Industrial Estate, just off the busy road.

Drivers were warned to avoid the area, and residents nearby were asked to keep their windows closed due to heavy smoke.

No injuries have been reported.

In an update at 8.30pm, the fire service said: “Firefighting operations have now finished at an industrial unit fire at Detling Aerodrome, Maidstone.

“The earlier advice for people in the area to close their windows and doors has been lifted.

“At the height of the incident, six fire engines attended and crews, wearing breathing apparatus, used main jets to extinguish the flames.

“The bulk water carrier, firefighting robot and Volunteer Response Team were also in attendance.

“There were no reported injuries, and the cause is still not known.”

Teams from the police, ambulance service and engineers from UK Power Networks were all been called to the incident.

Firefighters are using robots and uncrewed ground vehicles to battle the flames as well as a main jet hose.

A police spokeswoman added: “We are assisting Kent Fire and Rescue Service, following a report of a fire in Aerodrome Approach in Detling.

“Officers were called to the scene at 2.19pm on Saturday, March 15.

“The A249 Detling Hill was closed as a precaution but has since reopened.”

After damping down remaining hotspots, fire crews left the scene shortly before 7pm.