Morning:
13°c
Three hurt in massive gas blast
Ben Bailey01.07.09
Three people were injured in a suspected gas explosion which demolished a two-storey building today.
A man suffered serious burns when the blast rocked his flat in Bell Lane, Hendon, north-west London, shortly after 2am.
More than 20 firefighters raced to the scene as an ensuing fire gutted the remains of the flat and a shop below it.
The man, who was discovered staggering in the street by two police officers on routine patrol, was taken to the Royal Free Hospital.
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said he suffered burns and his condition is described as serious but stable.
About 30 people were evacuated as firefighters attempted to bring the blaze, in a small parade of shops, under control.
One woman neighbour, aged 26, received hospital treatment for glass injuries to her feet. A second woman neighbour, aged 31, suffered a back injury.
An elderly woman, whose house backs on to the premises, was treated for shock at the scene after her windows were blown out.
London Fire Brigade officials, supported by detectives from Colindale CID, have launched an inquiry. The road remained cordoned off.
Forensic specialists have been brought into to examine the scene and find the cause of the explosion. Police said there is no evidence of suspicious activity.
A London Fire Brigade spokesman said: "Four fire engines and around 20 firefighters have been called to a fire and explosion at a flat above a shop in Bell Lane, Hendon.
"The property has been destroyed and one man who was inside the flat at the time has been taken to hospital.
"Two women from a neighbouring property were treated for cuts and another has been treated for shock. Police have evacuated around 30 people from the area.
"Fire crews from Hendon and the surrounding area are attending the incident. The cause of the fire and explosion will be investigated."
Reader views (1)
The 2 Officers that were patrolling in the area at the time were not police but North West Community Support Officers. They are a volunteer organisation that patrols the local area on a nightly basis and have an emergency callout number with response times much quicker then the local police for all incidents wether big or small
- B Leo, london
