Child killed and three in hospital after house collapses in huge south London gas explosion

8 August 2022, 08:41 | Updated: 8 August 2022, 16:49

A child has tragically died after a terraced house collapsed in an explosion in south London.

London Ambulance service said four people were rescued from the rubble of the explosion in Galpin's Road, Thorton Heath, on Monday morning.

One was discharged and three others were taken to hospital.

Tragically, a child was pronounced dead at the scene.

In a tweet, London Ambulance Service said: "This morning, alongside colleagues from @LondonFire, we attended an incident in #ThorntonHeath. We treated four people. One was discharged and three others were taken to hospital.

"Sadly, a child was also pronounced dead at the scene. All LAS crews have now been stood down."

London authorities work on site of house explosion in Thornton Heath

Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters raced to the scene of the fire shortly after 7am.

A terraced house collapsed in the explosion with the roof caving in, while neighbouring properties were also damaged.

Search and rescue teams had hoped to find the girl alive.

London Fire Brigade (LFB) deputy assistant commissioner Richard Welch, who is at the scene in Thornton Heath, said in a statement: "Firefighters carried out a search of the property and sadly, a child was pronounced dead at the scene.

"Our thoughts are with their family, friends and the local community at this time."

Shocking videos from the scene show neighbours desperately clambering through the rubble to try and find loved ones, with parts of the building strewn across the street.

Several residents also raised concerns for a woman living in the house next door, which was damaged by the blast, after her husband was seen searching for her.

The leader of Merton Council said the incident was the result of a gas explosion.

Ross Garrod said: "We're all devastated by today's news at the tragic death of a child as a result of a gas explosion at Galpin's Road.

"Our thoughts and hearts are with the family affected, and I know everyone in our community will feel the same.

"Residents rightly have questions that they want answers to, and a full investigation is underway by the relevant authorities."

He added the council has opened an evacuation centre at the New Horizons Centre in Croydon and so far had supported around 100 residents.

Richard Welch Deputy Assistant Commissioner LFB

One resident described the children who lived in the house as "lively" and "happy".

Maureen Clare, 74, said that there were four children and a mother living in the terrace house in Croydon.

Ms Clare, who lives opposite and was visibly shaken by the incident, told PA: "They're very lively kids.

"They were always mischievous, happy and bouncing around."

Neighbours, Kutoya Kukanda, 50, and Delroy Simms, 62, said they helped rescue three children from the rubble at around 7am.

Wreckage of house seen in Thornton Heath after south London explosion

The cause of the fire and explosion is not known at this time, but neighbours reported a strong smell of gas in recent days.

Fire crews from Norbury, Mitcham, West Norwood, Woodside and surrounding fire stations attended the scene shortly after 7am following more than 13 999 calls.

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One resident, who lives two roads down, said her "whole house shook" during the blast.

She said she "felt the rumble through my body" and described the blaze as "devastating".

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Galpin's Road has been closed between Berkshire Way and South Lodge Avenue following the blaze, with a police cordon in place.

Westmoreland Way has also been closed, with bus routes 152 and 255 placed on diversion.

People have been urged to avoid the area.