London explosion: One person dead as Stratford house blast sparks evacuations
ONE person has died following an explosion at a house in Stratford, west London, with police evacuating several people in surrounding areas.
Emergency services were called to a residential property on Waddington Road shortly before 8am on Sunday. Police had initially said there were no reports anyone had been injured. But a later statement read: "Emergency services have now entered the building and sadly one person has been pronounced dead. We're working to locate and inform next of kin.
"Road closures remain in place.
"The incident is not being treated as terror-related."
Newham Police had earlier said they were assisting the London Fire Brigade at the scene of the explosion.
The force had confirmed there are no reported injuries, but several nearby homes have been evacuated.
Newham Police tweeted: "Officers are assisting @LondonFire at the scene of an explosion at a residential property in Waddington Road, #E15. Police were called at 07:54hrs today. No reported injuries.
"Road closures are in place and several nearby homes have been evacuated. Enquiries are ongoing."
London Fire Brigade had earlier confirmed it was called to the property at 7.51am.
The Fire Investigation Unit are currently at the scene and are trying to determine what caused the explosion.
They had said one person was being treated for shock, but that there were no other reports of further injuries.
Last month, two people died after a suspected gas explosion at a property in Ealing, West London.
Emergency srvices rushed to the building on King Street in Southall.
London Fire Brigade (LFB) commander Paul Morgan said an explosion caused “substantial damage to the shop and structural damage throughout”.
A spokesman for the Met Police said an explosion took place inside a shop and it is not being treated as suspicious.
LFB earlier confirmed four adults and one child were rescued using a ladder from a damaged property.
A further 16 people, including two children have also evacuated from nearby properties.
This is a breaking story. More to follow...