Following a significant gas explosion and fire in south London this morning, a kid has been discovered dead in the debris of a collapsed terraced house.
As 40 firefighters, six fire engines, police, and paramedics hurried to the site soon after 7 a.m. this morning in Thornton Heath, close to Croydon, neighbors reported hearing what they described as “bomb going off” sounds.
Today’s Thornton Heath fire
On Monday, shortly after 7 a.m., firefighters were rushed to the scene of an explosion that had destroyed at least one property along Galpin’s Road in Thornton Heath.
The London ambulance service said that a child had been declared dead, three people had been brought to the hospital, and one person had been released from the site while it was still early in the day and firefighters were still searching through the debris.
One residence was destroyed, while houses next door and across the street suffered severe damage as well. One family said there had been a strong gas odor in the area for the previous two weeks.
The fire brigade stated that its urban search and rescue workers are looking for one more missing individual, who is suspected to be a four-year-old child, according to neighbors, and that three people have been hospitalized with potentially life-threatening injuries.
Tragically, it was verified that a child had been found deceased at 2 o’clock.
The child died in a horror gas blast what happened explained
According to the London Fire Brigade (LFB), it remains unknown what caused the fire and explosion. Soon after the explosion, dozens of concerned neighbors gathered close to a police barrier. They stated that they thought the mother of the kids had been taken away and that the blast had also severely damaged the house next door.
The gas explosion was confirmed as a major incident by Merton Council. Southern Gas Networks, which Mail Online has contacted for comment, was performing utility repair and maintenance work on the road.
A small girl may still be trapped within, according to two neighbors Kutoya Kukanda, 50, and Delroy Simms, 62, who was hailed as “heroes” for pulling three youngsters from the rubble at around 7 a.m.
Across the street, neighbors think a young girl, perhaps four or five years old, is still stuck inside. One person is missing, according to the Deputy Assistant Commissioner of the London Fire Brigade.
The fallen house is visible in the background as emergency personnel respond to the situation in Thornton Heath, south London, on Galpin’s Road.
The explosion was like an earthquake, according to Mr. Simms, who was standing by the barricade in only his pajamas. He claimed he knew what it was because “that gas was smelling all week, pretty strong.”
He claimed that Mr. Kukanda distributed youngsters to him as bricks continued to fall from the building.
Videos and images show the entire house reduced to rubble, wood boards scattered around, and stunned neighbors standing outside in their nightgowns.
Government’s Statement
Jason Perry, the mayor of Croydon, tweeted“Terrible to hear about the explosion in Thornton Heath this morning – I understand residents have been evacuated and firefighters are working to make the scene safe following the explosion.”
Six fire engines and about 40 firemen were dispatched to a fire and explosion on Galpin’s Road in Thornton Heath, according to a London Fire Brigade spokesperson.
Since the situation began at 7:08 am, LFB reported receiving 14 calls.
Firefighters were dispatched to the location from Norbury, Mitcham, West Norwood, Woodside, and nearby fire stations.
According to a statement from the brigade, an explosion caused a terraced house to collapse, and nearby properties were also damaged. There have been three persons saved.
A police presence has been verified by the Metropolitan Police.
Officers are on the scene at Galpin’s Road as part of the emergency services response to this incident, according to a tweet. For updates, please follow @LondonFire.
It was announced that London Ambulance Service is also responding to the event.
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