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| Six hurt as tornado hits London | Six hurt as tornado hits London |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Six people were injured and up to 150 houses were damaged when a tornado swept through several London streets leaving a trail of destruction. | Six people were injured and up to 150 houses were damaged when a tornado swept through several London streets leaving a trail of destruction. |
| Rooftops were ripped off and cars were badly damaged as the twister hit the Kensal Rise area of north-west London. | Rooftops were ripped off and cars were badly damaged as the twister hit the Kensal Rise area of north-west London. |
| One man suffered a serious head injury and five have been treated for minor injuries and shock. | One man suffered a serious head injury and five have been treated for minor injuries and shock. |
| Fire services have sealed six roads in a zone covering a quarter of a square mile and searched 100 properties. | Fire services have sealed six roads in a zone covering a quarter of a square mile and searched 100 properties. |
| Fire crews were called at about 1100 GMT on Thursday to Chamberlayne Road and surrounding streets, amid reports of collapsed scaffolding and damage to buildings. | Fire crews were called at about 1100 GMT on Thursday to Chamberlayne Road and surrounding streets, amid reports of collapsed scaffolding and damage to buildings. |
| Witnesses said there was heavy rain and sleet, then debris flying through the air. | Witnesses said there was heavy rain and sleet, then debris flying through the air. |
| Resident Colin Brewer said: "It was really, really incredible. All of a sudden I saw a swirl starting to form and then, it was amazing, but it then touched land. | Resident Colin Brewer said: "It was really, really incredible. All of a sudden I saw a swirl starting to form and then, it was amazing, but it then touched land. |
| One user's picture diary | |
| "I then saw clumps of all sorts of things flying into air. | "I then saw clumps of all sorts of things flying into air. |
| "It went from exciting to terrifying." | "It went from exciting to terrifying." |
| He reported seeing trees ripped up from the roots, front doors missing, windows smashed and people being hit on the head by flying objects. | He reported seeing trees ripped up from the roots, front doors missing, windows smashed and people being hit on the head by flying objects. |
| The UK experiences an estimated 50 tornadoes on land each year, putting it top of the European twister league. | The UK experiences an estimated 50 tornadoes on land each year, putting it top of the European twister league. |
| The BBC Weather Centre said the tornado lasted less than minute. | The BBC Weather Centre said the tornado lasted less than minute. |
| "To see a tornado is not that unusual - but the magnitude of the damage due to the one in north-west London is," said BBC meteorologist Susan Powell. | "To see a tornado is not that unusual - but the magnitude of the damage due to the one in north-west London is," said BBC meteorologist Susan Powell. |
| She said the tornado formed due to a lot of energy in the air across the UK, producing widespread heavy thunderstorms with gusty winds. | She said the tornado formed due to a lot of energy in the air across the UK, producing widespread heavy thunderstorms with gusty winds. |
| "However, in the case of the shower in London, the massive up and down draughts came into phase, spiralling and forming a tornado," she said. | "However, in the case of the shower in London, the massive up and down draughts came into phase, spiralling and forming a tornado," she said. |
| Local resident Daniel Bidgood: "I was in my living room and I heard a big crack of lightning and thunder, then as I went to the window I heard a sound which was like standing behind a jetliner. | |
| "I could see a huge cloud rolling up the street, making this tremendous sound. | "I could see a huge cloud rolling up the street, making this tremendous sound. |
| "I went to try to take a picture of it but a shower of debris smashed all the windows of my house." | "I went to try to take a picture of it but a shower of debris smashed all the windows of my house." |
| London Ambulance Service said a man, thought to be in his 50s, was treated for a head injury and is expected to be released from hospital later on Thursday. Five others were treated for shock and minor injuries at the scene. | London Ambulance Service said a man, thought to be in his 50s, was treated for a head injury and is expected to be released from hospital later on Thursday. Five others were treated for shock and minor injuries at the scene. |
| Insurance cost | Insurance cost |
| Dave Bonner, of the London Fire Brigade, said about 50 fire fighters have searched over 100 properties and found several people injured. | Dave Bonner, of the London Fire Brigade, said about 50 fire fighters have searched over 100 properties and found several people injured. |
| Residents will not be allowed to return to their homes until the area is deemed safe. | Residents will not be allowed to return to their homes until the area is deemed safe. |
| Brent Council has set up a respite centre at the nearby Legion Hall on Albert Road for residents who have been made temporarily homeless. | Brent Council has set up a respite centre at the nearby Legion Hall on Albert Road for residents who have been made temporarily homeless. |
| "The council has sent officers, including tree and building experts, and contractors, to help with removing fallen trees and damaged properties," said a council statement. | "The council has sent officers, including tree and building experts, and contractors, to help with removing fallen trees and damaged properties," said a council statement. |
| Insurance experts said it was too early to estimate the cost of the damage, but the 2005 Birmingham tornado ran into tens of millions of pounds. | Insurance experts said it was too early to estimate the cost of the damage, but the 2005 Birmingham tornado ran into tens of millions of pounds. |
| Did you witness the mini tornado? Have you been affected? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below. | Did you witness the mini tornado? Have you been affected? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below. |
| Send your pictures and video to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 07725 100 100 Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video | Send your pictures and video to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 07725 100 100 Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video |