A child has died and four others have been injured after a terraced home collapsed following an explosion and fire in south London.
London Ambulance Service confirmed the child had died after the incident in Galpin’s Road in Thornton Heath on Monday morning.
The Metropolitan Police said the child who died after the explosion is believed to be a four-year-old girl.
No further details about the child have been given and London Fire Brigade (LFB) declined to give an age for them.
A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “This morning, alongside colleagues from London Fire Brigade, we attended an incident in Galpin’s Road, Thornton Heath.
“We treated four people. One was discharged on scene and three others were taken to hospital. Sadly, a child was also pronounced dead at the scene.
“All London Ambulance Service crews have now been stood down.”
A member of Merton Council at the scene previously told the PA news agency he believed a four-year-old girl was still inside the property while fire crews were carrying out their searches.
London Fire Brigade’s deputy assistant commissioner Richard Welch said following the confirmation that a child had died, no other searches are being undertaken for anyone else.
A resident has described the children who lived in the house as “lively” and “happy”.
Maureen Clare, 74, told the PA news agency 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.”
Mr Welch said: “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.”
Around 40 properties have been evacuated as a precaution by LFB and a 50-metre cordon is in place.
Dozens of residents gathered beside a police cordon on the end of the street hours after the explosion, which was reported at 7.08am.
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.
Many also said they reported a strong gas smell in the area which had persisted for around two weeks.
Responding to the claim in a press conference, Mr Welch said: “Unfortunately we can’t say if it’s gas that’s caused it. It will become a police investigation now.
“We dealt with the emergency phase of the incident and we will be handing it over to local authorities and local police.”
Residents added that engineers had been working on the street but had not been seen for a few days.
Galpin’s Road residents Delroy Simms, 62, and Kutoya Kukanda, 50, have been called “heroes” after they rescued three children from the house moments after the blast.
LFB has said the cause of the explosion is unknown.
A spokeswoman from gas distribution company SGN, which is the gas emergency service in the area, said: “Following the explosion in Galpin’s Road, Thornton Heath, earlier today, our deepest sympathies are with the family of the child who has tragically died as well as those who have been injured.
“We’d like to reassure everyone that our engineers are working closely with the emergency services to establish the cause of the explosion.
"Given the ongoing police investigation, it is inappropriate to comment any further at this stage.”
The Metropolitan Police said the child found dead after the explosion in Galpin’s Road is believed to be a four-year-old girl.
A statement said: “Police were called shortly after 7am on Monday, 8 August following reports of a fire and explosion at a residential property in Galpin’s Road, Mitcham.
“London Fire Brigade attended and the body of a child, believed to be a four-year-old girl, was recovered from a building.
“Her next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers.
“An investigation into the cause of the incident, alongside colleagues from the LFB, remains ongoing.
“Road closures will remain in place around the scene while this work continues.”
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