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A four-year-old girl is believed to have died after a house collapsed in an explosion in Thornton Heath.
The boy was pronounced dead at the scene while three people were taken to hospital following the explosion at a property on Galpin’s Road on Monday morning.
Merton Council leader Ross Garrod said the community has been “devastated by the tragedy”.
“We will continue to stand together and continue to do everything we can to support those affected,” he said.
London Fire Brigade (LFB) said a terraced house had collapsed and neighboring properties had suffered damage.
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The child found dead is believed to be a four-year-old girl, the Metropolitan Police said.
“His relatives have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers,” a statement said on Monday afternoon.
Stuffed animals are seen in an exposed room of the property
/ PA
“The investigation into the cause of the incident, along with colleagues from the LFB, remains ongoing. Road closures will remain in place around the scene while work continues.”
Engineers from the gas distribution company SGN are assisting in the investigation.
Speaking at the scene, Brigade Assistant Deputy Commissioner Richard Welch said thoughts are with the family, friends and local community.
“The welfare of everyone involved in this incident is very important to us, and our staff will be given counseling as a matter of priority.”
London Fire Brigade Assistant Deputy Commissioner Richard Welch at the scene
/ PA
Welch said no further searches are underway for anyone else.
40 properties have been evacuated due to the “substantial” blast zone, and crews would remain on site overnight for public safety.
Garrod said the boy’s death is “devastating.”
More than 100 residents have been supported by the local authority at an evacuation center at the New Horizon Center in Pollards Hill.
Food, shelter, water, medicine and washing facilities have been offered, as well as financial assistance as needed.
PA
“Housing officers, social workers and other council staff are now working from the center to ensure that all our residents are as comfortable as possible and that all their needs are met, including vouchers food and shopping,” Garrod said. NHS workers are also on site.
“We have also been arranging transport for elderly and sick people who were unable to leave their properties and are arranging residential care facilities where necessary.
“Emergency services will be working at the Galpin’s Road site for the foreseeable future – our main urgent concern now is to provide accommodation and all the essential services they need.”
Garrod said staff have been “overwhelmed by the kindness shown by residents and local groups”.
Members of the urban search and rescue team at the scene
/ Average PA
Residents at the scene had previously expressed concern for a missing child, believing a woman and four children had lived in the collapsed house.
Many also reported a strong smell of gas in the area which had persisted for about two weeks, but the London Fire Brigade said it could not confirm whether the gas caused the explosion.
Neighbors say that the gas engineers had been working in the street but they had not been seen for a few days.
Galpin’s Road residents Delroy Simms, 62, and Kutoya Kukanda, 50, were described as “heroes” after they rescued three children from the house moments after the explosion.
Simms, dressed in his pajamas by the cord, said: “I was getting ready to go to work when I heard the explosion.
“I already knew what it was because that gas smelled all week, very strong. I had a headache yesterday.
“My neighbor has been calling them (gas engineers) all week.”
Residents Delroy Simms, 62, (left) and Kutoya Kukanda, 50
/ PA
“When I heard the explosion it was like an earthquake. It shook me and my house. Our window blinds were blown off their hinges.
“I went to the window and saw the devastation.”
Mr. Simms said that Mr. Kukanda passed him children because the bricks were still falling from the structure.
Mr Kukanda, who had a bruised shin from a falling brick, told PA: “I heard a boom, then I opened the door.
“I saw smoke, the house had collapsed and people were screaming inside. I went in and took the first baby – there were three children.
“I picked up one of the kids, gave it to him (Mr Simms). The mother was screaming and saying, ‘One of my daughters is still in there’. Everything was falling.”