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Gas blast blows roof from 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. | 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. | Emergency crews were called to Drinkwater Road in South Harrow, north-west London, at about 0800 GMT. |
About 80 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." | |
'Heavy smell' | |
Up to 30 firefighters are at the scene. | |
The block of flats is managed by a housing association, according to a statement from Harrow Council. | |
The people who were evacuated from the area have been moved to a community centre in Scott Crescent, the council said. | |
A London Ambulance Service spokesman said that no-one was believed to have been killed in the explosion. | |
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 London Fire Brigade spokesman said: "Early reports suggest there has been serious structural damage to the building." | |
Eyewitness Mr Wiggins said: "I could see black smoke and flames leaping into the sky." | |
He added that the roof seemed to have "blown off" from building and it looked "very badly charred". | |
The impact of the blast has also exposed the timber in an 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 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. |