This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/london/7246290.stm
The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Gas explosion at block of flats | Gas explosion at block of flats |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| A man was seriously injured in a suspected gas blast that blew part of the roof off a block of flats. | |
| Emergency crews were called to Drinkwater Road in South Harrow, north-west London, at about 0800 GMT. | |
| About 40 people were evacuated from the block and a man in his 30s was being treated at the scene for burn injuries. | About 40 people were evacuated from the block and a man in his 30s was being treated at the scene for burn injuries. |
| Eyewitness Michael Wiggins said: "There was a massive explosion, like a sonic boom and I... saw white pieces falling from the sky like snow." | Eyewitness Michael Wiggins said: "There was a massive explosion, like a sonic boom and I... saw white pieces falling from the sky like snow." |
| Up to 35 firefighters are at the scene. | |
| A London Ambulance Service spokesman said that no fatalities had been reported. | A London Ambulance Service spokesman said that no fatalities had been reported. |
| He said: "We sent two ambulances, a fast response car, three hazardous area response team units and a duty manager. Our crews are treating a male patient for burns." | He said: "We sent two ambulances, a fast response car, three hazardous area response team units and a duty manager. Our crews are treating a male patient for burns." |
| A LFB spokesman said: "Early reports suggest there has been serious structural damage to the building." | A LFB spokesman said: "Early reports suggest there has been serious structural damage to the building." |
| Mr Wiggins said: "I could see black smoke and flames leaping into the sky." | Mr Wiggins said: "I could see black smoke and flames leaping into the sky." |
| He added that the roof seems to have "blown off" from building and it looks "very badly charred". | He added that the roof seems to have "blown off" from building and it looks "very badly charred". |
| The impact of the blast has also exposed the timber in the adjacent building, he said. | The impact of the blast has also exposed the timber in the adjacent building, he said. |
| Another local resident, Behnaaz Shah, said: "The building opposite looked like it had exploded and there was fire coming out of it." | Another local resident, Behnaaz Shah, said: "The building opposite looked like it had exploded and there was fire coming out of it." |
| A woman, who did not want to be named, said: "I heard a bang and my house shook... When I opened my door there was a horrible heavy smell in the air, like tar, and smoke." | |
| A cordon has been put in place around Drinkwater Road. | A cordon has been put in place around Drinkwater Road. |