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| Man hurt as roof blown from flats | |
| (30 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. | 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." | 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 30 firefighters are at the scene. | 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 block of flats is managed by a housing association, according to a statement from Harrow Council. |
| 'Heavy smell' | |
| The people who were evacuated from the area have been moved to a community centre in Scott Crescent, the council said. | 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. | 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. | 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." | "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." | 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." | 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". | 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. | 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. |