Thornton Heath fire: Four-year-old girl dies in ‘gas explosion’ at collapsed Croydon house

A four-year-old girl child has died in a collapsed house in Croydon following an explosion which left three people with serious injuries.

Paramedics and firefighters rushed to Galpin’s Road in Thornton Heath, Croydon, south London, after reports of a fire and explosion just after 7am this morning (Monday, August 8).

The ambulance service said one child was pronounced dead at the scene.

And the Met Police have confirmed the body of a child, believed to be a four-year-old girl, was recovered from a building.

A spokesperson said: “Her next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers.

“An investigation into the cause of the incident, alongside colleagues from the London fire brigade, remains ongoing.

“Road closures will remain in place around the scene while this work continues.”

Four people were treated after the incident, before three were taken to hospital with serious injuries.

These are understood to be life-threatening, the Guardian has reported.

The London Fire Brigade said that the victims were from several houses affected by the blast, and confirmed that firefighters had now finished searching through the rubble.

A terraced house has collapsed following an explosion and neighbouring properties have also been damaged.

Photos of the street show a pile of rubble where a house previously stood in a row of other properties, while firefighters surround the area.

Around 40 properties were evacuated and a 50-metre cordon has been put in place.

One person was discharged by paramedics at the scene.

The London Ambulance Service LAS spokesperson said: “This morning, alongside colleagues from London Fire, we attended an incident in Thornton Heath.

“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.”

A fire brigade spokesperson added: “Sadly, a child has been pronounced dead at the scene of the explosion in Thornton Heath. Our thoughts are with their family, friends and the local community at this time.”

The council has urged people to avoid the area, and said New Horizons, a nearby community centre, had been converted into a temporary evacuation centre.

A Merton Council spokesperson said: “Emergency services are on site following a gas explosion at a residential property.

“At least one property has been destroyed. We are urging people to avoid the area.

“Firefighters are carrying out systematic searches and working to make the scene safe.”

Croydon mayor Jason Perry, tweeted: “Terrible to hear about the explosion in Thornton Heath this morning.

“I understand residents have been evacuated and firefighters are working to make the scene safe following the explosion.”