House collapses following massive explosion as shaken neighbours say they could smell gas after early morning blast that sounded ‘like a bomb had gone off’
- A terraced house in Croydon, south London, collapsed this morning following a huge explosion and fire
- The cause of the explosion is not yet clear and London Fire Brigade have asked people to avoid the area
- One person was freed from a neighbouring building but it is not known if anybody has been is injured
Dozens of firefighters rushed to the scene of a blaze after a terraced house collapsed after an explosion in Croydon this morning.
Around 40 firefighters and six fire engines attended at the scene on Galpin’s Road in Thornton Heath just after 7am.
One man was treated for burn injuries at the scene and witnesses reported seeing three people being stretchered away, Thornton Heath Chronicle reported.
A young girl was seen stood outside with a blanket being treated for burns, according to MyLondon while another person was released from a neighbouring building by firefighters.
Neighbours were left shaken with some thinking ‘a bomb had gone off’, while one resident said they were still able to smell gas after the explosion.
London Fire Brigade (LFB) said the cause of the fire and explosion is not known.
LFB said it had taken 13 calls to the incident since 7.08am and are asking people to avoid the area.
Following a fire and explosion, approximately 40 firefighters rushed to the scene of a house collapse in Thornton Heath, south London
Nearby properties on Galpin’s Road (pictured) have been damaged and one person was released from a neighbouring building
One Resident near to the house thought the loud explosion was a bomb going off
Residents living nearby described hearing the explosion this morning, one said on Facebook: ‘The bang frightened the life out of me. I’m opposite Galpin’s, they have the helicopter circling & can hear sirens,’ The Mirror reported.
One user said: ‘I heard it whilst getting ready for work and thought it sounded like an explosion but was hoping I was wrong and that it was at a building site or something.’
Another added: ‘That was one loud bang thought a bomb had gone off’.
One neighbour who lives on nearby Carisbrooke Road told MyLondon they could ‘still really smell gas, even two roads away’ and added ‘They’re evacuating people from the houses nearby as they’re worried about another explosion’.
Local councillor Martin Whelton tweeted: ‘There has been a serious fire explosion incident in Galpins Road, Thornton Heath in Pollards Hill ward.
‘The emergency services are at the scene. Hope everyone is okay but at this stage information is limited.’
At this time, the cause of the fire and explosion is unknown
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said in a statement: ‘Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters have been called to a fire and explosion on Galpin’s Road in Thornton Heath.
‘A terraced house has collapsed following an explosion.
‘The Brigade’s 999 Control Officers have taken 13 calls to the incident.
‘The Brigade was called at 0708. Fire crews from Norbury, Mitcham, West Norwood, Woodside and surrounding fire stations attended the scene.
‘The cause of the fire and explosion is not known at this time.’
The Metropolitan Police confirmed officers are at the scene. A statement on Twitter said: ‘Officers are at the scene in Galpin’s Road as part of the emergency services response to this incident. Please follow @LondonFire for updates.’
London Ambulance Service said it is also responding to the incident.
