three people have been rescued after a house collapsed in an explosion in Thornton Heath, south London.
About 40 firefighters and six firework engines were fighting the fire and explosion in Galpin’s Road Monday morning.
The brigade said a terraced house had collapsed after the explosion and adjacent properties had been damaged.
In an update shortly before 11 a.m., firefighters said three people had been rescued.
Firefighters were called to the scene at 708, with crews from Norbury, Mitcham, West Norwood, Woodside and surrounding fire stations on the scene.
The brigade’s 999 control officers took 13 calls to the incident. The cause of the fire and explosion is unknown at this time.
Police and ambulance have also been called for the explosion.
One resident said on social media: “I heard it while getting ready for work and thought it sounded like an explosion but hoped I was wrong and it was on a construction site or something.”
Another added: “That was a loud bang that was thought to have been a bomb”.
City councilor from the ward where the explosion took place, Cllr Martin Whelton, said: “A serious fire explosion incident has occurred at Galpins Road, Thornton Heath in the Pollards Hill area.
“Emergency services are on the scene. I hope everyone is okay, but at this stage the information is limited.”
A spokesman for the London Ambulance Service said: “We are responding to an incident in Thornton Heath and have a number of resources on the ground.
“Only call 999 for real medical emergencies and use 111 online for other urgent medical needs.”