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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Man killed in explosion at site of former petrol station | Man killed in explosion at site of former petrol station |
| (about 14 hours later) | |
| A man in his 50s died in an explosion at a construction site in north London, police have said. | A man in his 50s died in an explosion at a construction site in north London, police have said. |
| Emergency services, including the London air ambulance, were called to an "industrial incident" in Swain's Lane, Highgate, just after 14:00 GMT. | |
| The site was once a petrol station and part of the demolition work required removing underground tanks. | The site was once a petrol station and part of the demolition work required removing underground tanks. |
| The explosion "sounded like a bomb", locals said. Roads have reopened but police remain on scene. | |
| The 1930s terrace, on the site of a former shopping parade, is due to be replaced by eight new shops and 12 houses. | |
| Owners Noble House were aware of safety concerns but had claimed to residents there were "no indications of hazardous materials". | Owners Noble House were aware of safety concerns but had claimed to residents there were "no indications of hazardous materials". |
| A report had also "indicated ways to deal safely with the underground tanks" developers said. | A report had also "indicated ways to deal safely with the underground tanks" developers said. |
| Highgate councillor and Green London Assembly Member Sian Berry told the BBC that builders had been due to remove petrol tanks from the site this week. | Highgate councillor and Green London Assembly Member Sian Berry told the BBC that builders had been due to remove petrol tanks from the site this week. |
| She said: "It's absolutely shocking. I was there last Friday and saw a big tank that used to store petrol. The first stage of construction was taking these tanks away." | She said: "It's absolutely shocking. I was there last Friday and saw a big tank that used to store petrol. The first stage of construction was taking these tanks away." |
| Local resident Kim Gray said the explosion "sounded like car bomb" and shook local buildings. | Local resident Kim Gray said the explosion "sounded like car bomb" and shook local buildings. |
| Ozan Yelken, 27, a supervisor at neighbouring Bistro Laz restaurant, said: "I heard a very big bang, like a wall collapsing. | |
| "I ran outside and it was very quiet for a few seconds then people started running into the construction site." | "I ran outside and it was very quiet for a few seconds then people started running into the construction site." |
| Mr Yelken said he saw workers removing a petrol tank earlier today. | Mr Yelken said he saw workers removing a petrol tank earlier today. |
| The Health and Safety Executive said it was "aware of an incident that took place today at Swains Lane, Camden and is in communication with the emergency services". | The Health and Safety Executive said it was "aware of an incident that took place today at Swains Lane, Camden and is in communication with the emergency services". |