Three people have been hospitalised after a terraced house collapsed after a huge explosion and fire in Croydon this morning.
Around 40 firefighters and six fire engines rushed to the scene on Galpin’s Road in Thornton Heath, south London, just after 7am.
One man was treated for burn injuries at the scene and witnesses reported seeing other people including a child being stretchered away, Thornton Heath Chronicle reported.
A young girl was also seen stood outside with a blanket being treated for burns, as London Fire Brigade (LFB) said three people have been rescued.
Dozens of worried residents have gathered beside a police cordon, with saying they had reported a strong gas smell two weeks ago, and others said they had been feeling dizzy and sick over the last two days.
One person said they thought ‘a bomb had gone off’ this morning and another said they were still able to smell gas after the explosion as houses in the area were evacuated.
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
Emergency services remain at the scene of the completely destroyed house in Croydon, so far London Fire Brigade say three people have been rescued
The house explosion took place in Thornton Heath, Croydon around 7am this morning
Emergency services at the scene in Galpin’s Road in Thornton Heath, south London, with the collapsed house in the background
An image appears to show a child’s bedroom wall torn open by the blast in the neighbouring home
Around forty firefighters attended the scene and the surrounding area was evacuated after the explosion
Nearby properties on Galpin’s Road (pictured) have been damaged and one person was released from a neighbouring building
On a road where properties sell for around £430,000, the explosion launched a mass of rubble seriously damaging houses either side of the blast and across the road.
Nearly ten cars appear to be damaged and a huge hole can be seen in the wall of one of the neighbouring houses.
One resident, who lives on nearby Carisbrooke Road, said: ‘I heard the explosion at 7am, it was just the biggest bang you’ll ever hear.
‘So I went down the road to see what happened this morning and the whole house is gone, people living nearby said all their windows shook.
‘There was police, fire engines, a helicopter going around overhead. There’s not actually a fire from what I saw but you can still really smell gas, even two roads away where I am. They’re evacuating people from the houses nearby as they’re worried about another explosion.
‘There was a little girl of about 10 or 11 stood outside with a blanket bless her, god knows how she got out of that but she’s being treated for burns.
‘They were saying her older brother was still inside but he later got taken out OK I think.’
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’.
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.’
London Fire Brigade say three people have been rescued from the scene (pictured)
Police have evacuated and cordoned off the surrounding area following the explosion
One resident near to the house thought the loud explosion was a bomb going off
At this time, the cause of the fire and explosion is unknown, but a nearby resident said they could smell gas
A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: ‘We have treated four patients at an incident in Galpins Road, Thornton heath. One was discharged on scene and three others were taken to hospital.
‘We remain on scene with our emergency service colleagues.’
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.