A shop in West London has exploded and the fire brigade have said that they fear people have died.
A gas happened in a shop underneath flats on King Street in Ealing, and London Fire Brigade (LFB) said that they are working with specialist equipment and sniffer dogs.
They described a “complex operation” is underway and one child and four adults have been rescued, but at this stage they are unable to confirm how many casualties.
Station Commander Paul Morgan said, “Our crews continue to search the property using specialist equipment including the use of USAR dogs.
“Sadly, we believe that there are fatalities within the property although we’re unable to confirm numbers at this stage. The explosion caused substantial damage to the shop and structural damage throughout.
“It is a painstaking and protracted incident with firefighters working systematically to stabilise the building and search for people involved. We’d ask for people to avoid the area at this time.
“In the initial stages firefighters rescued four adults and one child were rescued at the rear of the property using a ladder.
“A further 14 adults and two children self-evacuated from surrounding properties.”
The Brigade was called at 0638. Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters Southall, Hayes, Heston, Ealing and Feltham fire stations are at the scene, and a spokesman said that the windows at the shop were “completely blown out.”
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