Child and four adults saved after gas explosion in west London shop
The incident took place early on Wednesday morning.
A child and four adults have been rescued after a suspected gas explosion in the shop below their flats.
Emergency workers are involved in a “complex” search for anyone who may still be inside the collapsed building on King Street in Ealing, west London, after the incident on Wednesday morning.
London Fire Brigade (LFB) said the building’s structure had collapsed.
Station Commander Alan Brand, who is at the scene, said: “Four adults and one child were rescued at the rear of the property by firefighters using a ladder.
“A further fourteen adults and two children self evacuated from surrounding properties. Specialist crews are searching the building for anyone else that may be involved.
“This is an ongoing operation and I would ask that people avoid the area if possible.”
LFB said Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) crews are undertaking a complex operation and using specialist equipment to search the properties.
They said they were called at just before 6.40am, adding that six fire engines and around 40 firefighters are at the scene.
Another LFB spokesman said the windows of the shop were “completely blown out” in the incident, adding: “It’s caused extensive damage to the shop and structural damage to the flats above.”
The Metropolitan Police said the incident is not being treated as suspicious and is believed to be a gas explosion.
The force said: “A large explosion was found to have taken place inside a shop. One man was found injured.”
A London Ambulance Service spokeswoman said they have treated and discharged one person.
