This morning in Croydon, dozens of firemen rushed to the scene of a fire after a terraced home collapsed after an explosion.
At 7 a.m., forty firemen and six fire engines responded to the incident on Galpin’s Road in Thornton Heath.
According to London Fire Brigade (LFB), the origin of the fire and explosion remains unknown.
Damage has been done to neighboring houses, and one person has been rescued from a neighboring structure.
Since 7:08 a.m., the LFB has received thirteen reports about the incident and is advising people to avoid the area while they battle the flames. This morning, adjacent residents reported hearing an explosion; one said on Facebook, ‘The boom scared me to death. The chopper is hovering above Galpin’s, and I can hear sirens,’ The Mirror said.
One user said, “As I was getting ready for work, I heard what sounded like an explosion and hoped I was mistaken and it was a construction site or something.”
Someone another remarked, “That was such a loud explosion, I feared a bomb had exploded.”
Local councilman Martin Whelton tweeted, “There has been a significant fire explosion on Galpins Road, Thornton Heath, Pollards Hill ward.”
The emergency services have arrived. Hope everyone is safe, although information is scarce at this time.’ A representative for the London Fire Brigade issued the following statement: ‘Six fire engines and around forty firemen were dispatched to a fire and explosion on Galpin’s Road in Thornton Heath.
A terraced home has fallen as a result of an explosion.
The Brigade’s 999 Control Officers had received thirteen calls about the event.
The Brigade was summoned at 0708 hours. On the scene were firefighters from Norbury, Mitcham, West Norwood, Woodside, and neighboring fire stations.
The cause of the fire and explosion is yet unknown.
The Metropolitan Police verified that police are in route. Officers are at the site at Galpin’s Road as part of the emergency services response to this incident, according to a tweet. Follow @LondonFire on Twitter for updates.’
London Ambulance Service has said that it is responding to the event as well.