Explosion hits burning house
WINDOWS WERE SHATTERED DURING DRAMATIC MOMENT OF HOME BLAZE
WINDOWS shattered as an explosion ripped through a burning house in Southall.
A man was seen fleeing the fire “covered in dust” on the morning of Tuesday October 12.
Roads were closed off as 40 firefighters tackled a fire at an end-ofterrace house in North Road.
The top floor of the house was up in flames and, as a result, London Fire Brigade described there being “significant structural damage” to the first floor and roof.
A video shows firefighters trying to calm down the flames by shooting water from a hose into the property.
Seven people left the property before the Brigade arrived and one man was treated at the scene by London Ambulance Service crews.
There were no reports of casualties.
A neighbour in North Road described seeing a man emerging from the burning house carrying bags and “covered in dust”.
The resident, who did not want to be named, also described how the windows shattered at the property.
The fire was brought under control at around 2pm and is thought to have started at around 9.20am.
Due to the fire, North Road was closed at the junctions of High Street, Kingsley Avenue and Shruberry Road.
Cadent Gas Network vans were also at the scene, though it is unclear whether this is connected with the fire.
Station Commander Matt Williams said: “Crews tackled a fire on the first floor using an aerial ladder.
“Our Urban Search and Rescue crews carried out a systematic search of the building to check there were no other people inside.
“There were some local road closures in place so we advised motorists to avoid the area where possible.
“North Road at the junctions of
High Street, Kinglsey Avenue and Shruberry Road were closed.”
The cause of the fire has not been identified and it is currently under investigation.
Motorists were advised to avoid the area due to the building traffic.
A statement from London Fire Brigade said: “Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters were called to a fire and explosion at a house on North Road in Southall.
“An end of terrace house converted into flats suffered significant structural damage and there was a fire which damaged part of the roof and first floor.
“Seven people left the building before the Brigade arrived and one man was treated at the scene by London Ambulance Service crews.
“The Brigade was called at 9.48am and the incident was over for firefighters by 1.54pm. Fire crews from Southall, Ealing, Hillingdon, Hayes, Northolt and Heston fire stations were at the scene.”