Fuming residents have endured a week of “absolute hell” – due to a steaming pile of poo in a nearby field.
The manure, on land near Brockmans Lane, Ashford, has been smouldering since Friday, with the foul fumes drifting across the Bridgefield housing estate.
The fire service has urged people to keep their windows shut due to the smoke but some say the smell is still wafting in through vents and giving them sore throats.
Families have also been unable to use their gardens due to the stench, forcing them to stay indoors during the recent warm weather.
The fire service has been releasing daily updates, saying crews are allowing the manure heap to burn in a “controlled manner” to prevent it from reigniting.
But neighbours say the conditions have become unbearable.
Peter Warrington, who lives on the estate with his wife Paula, told KentOnline: “For the past few days, black plumes of smoke have been coming up from the field. It’s been absolute hell.”
Mrs Warrington, who works for the NHS, said the fumes had seeped into their property, leaving the couple waking up with sore throats.
“The smell has been coming in through our vents and into our bathroom,” she added.
“We’ve been advised to keep the windows closed, so we are being choked out by it.
“It’s even giving us a sore throat.”
The couple, who have lived in Bridgefield for almost two years, say they have never experienced anything like it before.
Mr Warrington said: “I grew up in the country, but even for me, the smell is too much.
“We’ve taken five days off work recently and we haven’t been able to use our garden.”
It is not known how the fire started – but for many, it ruined the bank holiday weekend.
Another neighbour, nurse Becky Williams, who moved to the estate four months ago, said she too had been badly affected.
“The smell is terrible – it makes me want to stay inside the house,” said the 31-year-old.
“I have still been using the garden when I have to, but I’m trying my best to avoid it.
“I really want it sorted out as soon as possible.”
She added that the constant odour was stopping people from enjoying their homes.
“It’s meant to be a nice area, and I moved here because of that,” she explained.
“But this has really impacted daily life.
“You can’t just stay indoors forever – people have kids, pets, work. It needs sorting quickly.”
Firefighters are regularly visiting the site with the landowner to check the fire’s condition.
A Kent Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson explained: “A controlled burn helps to prevent a fire from reigniting and minimises damage to the environment and public, but it can take some time to be fully extinguished, particularly when the fire is deep-seated.
“While smoke is still coming from the incident, crews are advising people living or working in the affected area to keep their windows and doors closed.
“We would like to thank residents for their patience and understanding while this incident is ongoing.”
The smoke is expected to linger over the next few days while the heap continues to smoulder.
Kingsnorth and Bridgefield councillor, Ray McGeever, says the smell has made life especially difficult for people in the area.
He added: “When the windows are closed, the stink percolates.”
Ashford Borough Council says it is aware of the situation and is liaising with the fire service.
The authority is advising residents to follow updates on the KFRS incidents page.
