Today's most viewed
| TOP STORIES | | |  | | | FEATURES | | | | | | MAYOR NEWS | | | | BIZARRE LONDON | | | TRAVEL | | | | COMPETITIONS | | |
|
|
|
HARROW: Blast area declared crime scene
 |
| Scotland Yard are treating the blast as suspicious |
An explosion which claimed a man's life may have been caused deliberately.
The blast, which happened at around 9.40pm last night, ripped through three houses in Stanley Road, South Harrow, killing a man and leaving two people in hospital.
Officers at Scotland Yard said they cannot rule out the possibility of murder, and are treating the blast as suspicious.
Firefighters continue to sift through the rubble of the three houses destroyed by the blast, which is believed to have been caused by gas.
Police officers on the scene have not had access to the wreckage yet, and do not expect their investigation to progress until tomorrow morning at the earliest.
The dead man's body is still trapped under the remains of the collapsed houses.
A 26-year-old man was taken to hospital suffering from head injuries, and a 17-year-old girl was also hospitalised suffering from 20 per cent burns after the explosion.
Around 30 residents were evacuated from their homes, and have been temporarily housed with family, friends or in hotels.
Did you see or hear the explosion? Leave your comments below or email us your pictures
3:37pm Thursday 8th May 2008
Print 
Email this 
CommentPosted by: L. Brown, West Harrow on 9:38am Thu 8 May 08
We live about two miles from the scene of the explosion. My husband heard it and thought it was thunder. As I recall, this is the second major gas explosion in South Harrow in the past year. There are a number of old and run-down buildings in the area, and in my opinion there should be a complete review of their safety as well as of the gas supply network.
We live about two miles from the scene of the explosion. My husband heard it and thought it was thunder. As I recall, this is the second major gas explosion in South Harrow in the past year. There are a number of old and run-down buildings in the area, and in my opinion there should be a complete review of their safety as well as of the gas supply network.
Posted by: Anon, Northolt on 10:01am Thu 8 May 08
It happened at 9:42pm, I heard the bang and looked at the clock... Terrible.
I pray for all the people involved.
It happened at 9:42pm, I heard the bang and looked at the clock... Terrible.
I pray for all the people involved.
Posted by: r burrows, west harrow on 7:01pm Thu 8 May 08
It seemed obvious this was a serious explosion because it sounded similar to the one two months ago, only much louder. Our house shook and within 10 mins we could hear sirens and helicopters.
Since South Harrow was the site of the former gas works, in fact, I believe that Waitrose, next door to the explosion was built on the site of the old gas chimney when it was demolished a few years ago, how do we know the area is safe and that this will not happen again. This is the second, probable, gas explosion in two months - can this really be coincidence?
It seemed obvious this was a serious explosion because it sounded similar to the one two months ago, only much louder. Our house shook and within 10 mins we could hear sirens and helicopters.
Since South Harrow was the site of the former gas works, in fact, I believe that Waitrose, next door to the explosion was built on the site of the old gas chimney when it was demolished a few years ago, how do we know the area is safe and that this will not happen again. This is the second, probable, gas explosion in two months - can this really be coincidence?
Posted by: hansa, South Harrow on 8:48pm Thu 8 May 08
I was in my bedroom watching tv and at around 9.45 I heard this loud bang and my windows and bed shook. My husband ran up from the living room to see if I was ok. We looked out of the window but couldn't see anything. Everyone carried on doing whatever they were doing. I could hear lots of sirens and helicopters above us.
I live in the street directly behind Stanley Road and shop at the Waitrose next to where the explosion happened. My initial thought was that the new flats( The Arc) that are being built had collapsed. Too close to home for my liking
I was in my bedroom watching tv and at around 9.45 I heard this loud bang and my windows and bed shook. My husband ran up from the living room to see if I was ok. We looked out of the window but couldn't see anything. Everyone carried on doing whatever they were doing. I could hear lots of sirens and helicopters above us.
I live in the street directly behind Stanley Road and shop at the Waitrose next to where the explosion happened. My initial thought was that the new flats( The Arc) that are being built had collapsed. Too close to home for my liking
Posted by: R. Owusu, Pinner on 10:54pm Thu 8 May 08
My family and I were downstairs in the living room when my grandmother heard the noise. She too thought it was thunder, but I dismissed it thinking it was ridiculous. I heard it too, but just thought it was my neighbour's motorbike.
I didn't even know there had already been an explosion so close to home- in the EXACT same area. Obviously there are people closer/ worse affected but it's hard to feel safe in surrounding areas...
My family and I were downstairs in the living room when my grandmother heard the noise. She too thought it was thunder, but I dismissed it thinking it was ridiculous. I heard it too, but just thought it was my neighbour's motorbike.
I didn't even know there had already been an explosion so close to home- in the EXACT same area. Obviously there are people closer/ worse affected but it's hard to feel safe in surrounding areas...
Posted by: Nick, South Harrow on 12:17am Fri 9 May 08
The location of the explosion is 100 yards from the site of the famous "NO" gasometer, now removed and replaced by a Waitrose Store.Residue from that ?
The location of the explosion is 100 yards from the site of the famous "NO" gasometer, now removed and replaced by a Waitrose Store.Residue from that ?
Posted by: priscillia, eastcote on 10:21am Fri 9 May 08
yo i jus want to say that i wasnt there but i hope that the police find out wat cause this and i hope that the ppl that wer injured i hope that they will be ok and i pray that it doesnt happen agen nuff love PIZZLE ****
yo i jus want to say that i wasnt there but i hope that the police find out wat cause this and i hope that the ppl that wer injured i hope that they will be ok and i pray that it doesnt happen agen nuff love PIZZLE ****
Posted by: hibba on 12:00pm Sat 10 May 08
[bold]bold[/bold] the man who has been killed , emad mahmood qureshi , is my cousin !!
the man who has been killed , emad mahmood qureshi , is my cousin !!
What are these links for?
If you liked this article and would like to share it with others on the web who might be searching for good content we've made it easy for you to do it.
At the bottom of all articles, you'll see links to six sites. These sites - commonly called 'social bookmark' or 'social news' sites - have large communities of web users who share and rate interesting, useful and fun things on the web.
Clicking the links will automatically add the address of the story you are reading to one of these sites, letting you share it with others. Each site will ask you to register to share stories. Registration is free and once a member, you can store, recommend and search for stories that interest you.
More on Digg
More on del.icio.us
More on Furl
More on reddit
More on NowPublic/
More on Yahoo!
