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Thornton Heath fire: House collapses after explosion as 40 fire fighters tackle blaze

Two have been rescued from scene in Thornton Road, fire brigade says

Zoe Tidman
Monday 08 August 2022 05:31 EDT
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Thornton Heath fire: House collapses after explosion as 40 firefighters tackle blaze

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A house has collapsed and others have been damaged in a fire and explosion in south London.

Images showed rubble from a collapsed terraced property, leaving a gap in a row of houses in Thornton Heath on Monday morning.

Two people were rescued from the scene on Galphin’s Road, according to London Fire Brigade.

Firefighters were called to the fire and explosion at a house in the area of Croydon shortly after 7am on Monday.

A neighbour told local media it was “the biggest bang you’ll ever hear”.

“I went down the road to see what happened this morning and the whole house is gone, people living nearby said all their windows shook,” the Thornton Heath local told MyLondon.

The fire brigade said one terraced house collapsed following the explosion, with neighbouring properties also damaged.

It was not immediately clear what caused the fire and the explosion on the street in the Thornton Heath.

The house and explosion took place in Galpin’s Road in Thornton Heath on Monday
The house and explosion took place in Galpin’s Road in Thornton Heath on Monday (PA)
Fire crews attended the scene on Galpin’s Road on Monday
Fire crews attended the scene on Galpin’s Road on Monday (PA)

Around six fire engines and 40 crew members attended the scene on Monday morning.

The incident was still recorded as “live” at 10.30am by London Fire Brigade.

Crews from Norbury, Mitcham, West Norwood, Woodside and surrounding fire stations attended the scene.

London Ambulance said it had a “number of resources” at the scene on Monday morning, while the Metropolitan Police also attended.

Members of the public are being urged to avoid the area.

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