Explosion rocks flats

Firefighters were called to an explosion in a block of flats today.

The blast took place in Drinkwater Road, south Harrow, in north London, this morning.

London Fire Brigade said it sent six engines to the scene. It was unclear how large the explosion was or how many residents were injured.

A spokesman for the ambulance service said a man was being treated for burns on the scene. There were believed to be no deaths.

He said the ambulance service was called at 8.10am to Scott Crescent, which is next to Drinkwater Road, by a member of the public to reports of a building collapse.

He said: "We sent two ambulances, a fast response car, three hazardous area response team units and a duty manager.

"Our crews are treating a male patient for burns."

He said it was usual to send the hazardous area response team units as a precautionary measure.

A spokesman for for London Fire Brigade said it was called shortly after 8am.

Thirty firefighters were sent to the scene.

The spokesman added: "It is an ongoing situation. It is the very early stages of the incident.”

Police said the incident was believed to have been caused by a gas explosion.

A spokesman for Scotland Yard said: "Police were called just after 8am this morning to reports of a building collapse at Annan Court in Harrow.”

They said one person, believed to be a male in his thirties, is being treated at the scene.

His injuries are described as "fairly serious”.

A spokesman added: "Early reports suggest there has been serious structural damage to the building.''

A woman living on Drinkwater Road, where the building collapsed, said she heard a "big explosion'' at about 8am.

Behnaaz Shah said: "I was on my way out when I heard the explosion and I came out to have a look.

"The building opposite looked like it had exploded and there was fire coming out of it.''

She said the building's roof had caved in and a section of Drinkwater Road had been cordoned off.