Child dies after explosion destroys house in London

A child has died after a terraced home collapsed following an explosion and fire in south London. London Ambulance Service confirmed the child had died after the incident in Galpin’s Road in Thornton Heath on Monday morning.

No further details have been given. A statement from the ambulance service said: “This morning, alongside colleagues from @LondonFire, we attended an incident in #ThorntonHeath.

“We treated four people. One was discharged and three others were taken to hospital. Sadly, a child was also pronounced dead at the scene. All LAS crews have now been stood down.”

Read more: Angry shopper 'kicked out of Sainsbury's and banned' over 'row about a banana'

Earlier Richard Welch, London Fire Brigade deputy assistant commissioner, confirmed a search was under way to find a missing person after the explosion in Thornton Heath. He told Sky News: “Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters were called to a fire and explosion in Galpin’s Road in Thornton Heath this morning.

“A terraced house has collapsed following an explosion and neighbouring properties have also been damaged. Four people have been rescued by the fire brigade. The brigade’s 999 control officers have taken 14 calls to the incident. The LFB was called at 0708 this morning and we were on the scene, in attendance, within three minutes."

The cause of the fire and explosion is not known at this time.

Read today's top stories here