Man seriously hurt in house blast as bailiffs came knocking

A man was left in a critical condition and three police officers were injured in an explosion at a house being visited by bailiffs.

Officers were called to the house in Stapleton Hall Road, near Finsbury Park, north-east London, just before midday yesterday to reports of a “man armed with a weapon”. Fire and ambulance services were also called after the blast caused “life-threatening” injuries to a man.

The man, in his midfifties, was involved in an ongoing housing dispute, the Metropolitan Police said.

Paul Matthews, a friend of the injured man, said he was “worried” about his welfare after he sustained serious injuries amid rumours of an “ongoing” family dispute. Mr Matthews, 55, said: “I am told he has got 80 per cent burns. I hope he makes it.”

Zoheir Cheref, 42, who lives in the street, said: “I heard an explosion. I saw big smoke and police shouting for people to move backwards and out of the way. ”

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said it was understood that bailiffs were at the house along with the suspect’s family.

He said: “This incident is not being treated as terrorism-related.”

“Two female police officers and one male police officer sustained injuries as a result of this incident and have been taken to hospital. Their injuries are not believed to be serious.”