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HARROW: Blast area declared crime scene

3:37pm Thursday 8th May 2008

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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

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L. Brown, West Harrow says...
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.

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Anon, Northolt says...
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.

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r burrows, west harrow says...
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?

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hansa, South Harrow says...
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

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R. Owusu, Pinner says...
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...

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Nick, South Harrow says...
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 ?

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priscillia, eastcote says...
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 ****

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hibba, says...
12:00pm Sat 10 May 08

the man who has been killed , emad mahmood qureshi , is my cousin !!

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james, south harrow says...
10:59pm Tue 13 May 08

Although waitrose is on the site of the old gas works,these houses were also there at the same time.Its ridiculous to say that the two may be connected.This was either a straight forward gas leak or something more sinister.

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resident, stanley road, south harrow says...
11:17am Thu 5 Jun 08

hansa wrote:
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 send love and light to the family of Emad who died here.

One month on from the blast, we're all trying to get back to "normal" and feel safe. We live halfway down Stanley Road and were fortunate to be on holiday at the time. My friend texted to say she heard on news there'd been an explosion in our street. We came home to a cordoned street and traumatised, sleepless neighbours.

When the street reopened, construction work resumed at the Arc site and heavy lorries returned. Unreported to my knowledge, a fire started at Barratt's Arc site on 14th May (one week after the blast) and the LFB attended with 6 firetrucks and support vehicles. The street was still cordoned from the blast investigation.

There's only ONE way in and out of Stanley Road for vehicles ! End of June we'll be welcoming another 130 residents to the street at the Arc, and it feels like mayhem. We want to move far away.

I got a safety check for our gas meter this week so feel slightly reassured, but there's little advice/info from HSE or Gas supplier. The houses are 101 years old.

We all have many questions. No conclusive answers at present.

It has been a shocking time and we pray for healing for all involved. Thank you to everyone who has helped us and sent their good wishes.







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Scotland Yard are treating the blast as suspicious

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