London Fire Brigade confirmed that two people have died as a building collapsed following a gas explosion in Ealing this morning. 

Firefighters rescued five people including a child from the building, whilst a further 16 people, including two children, were able to evacuate themselves from nearby buildings on King Street in Southall. 

The incident occured after a suspected gas explosion caused a structual collapse of the building, which was a shop with a block of flats above it. 

The fire brigade was called out just after half past six this morning, with six fire engines and around 40 firefighters from Southall, Hayes, Heston, Ealing and Feltham fire stations remain on the scene.

Specialist firefighters and fire dogs continue to check to see if anyone is trapped in the building, after four adults and a child were rescued using a ladder at the rear of the property. 

Station Commander Paul Morgan said: “Our crews have searched the property using specialist equipment including the use of a USAR dogs. We can confirm that sadly two people have died at the scene.

“It has been a painstaking and protracted incident with firefighters working systematically to stabilise the building and search for people involved. Operations have been concluded for the evening and will restart in the morning.

"We’d ask for people to avoid the area at this time."

The Met Police, who are involved in the operation, also urged people to stay away from King Street.