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Hornchurch explosion: Several injured after blast rips through flats in east London

Video: Sasha Spratt, Luke Garratt: PA
Video: Sasha Spratt, Luke Garratt: PA

Several people have been injured after an explosion ripped through a block of flats in east London.

Police, ambulance crews and more than 70 firefighters raced to the scene of the blast at a ground floor flat in Ardleigh Green Road, Hornchurch just after 5pm on Monday.

Shortly after 11pm police confirmed two men, who were among the injured, had been arrested on suspicion of arson.

Homes were evacuated as part of the building collapsed as dozens of neighbours were led to safety.

Paramedics said three people were treated in the street and one man was taken to hospital.

While police said there were five casualties with two people taken to hospital, two treated at the scene while one presented themselves at hospital with injuries.

Emergency response: Police, fire and ambulance crews at the scene in Ardleigh Green Road, Hornchurch
Emergency response: Police, fire and ambulance crews at the scene in Ardleigh Green Road, Hornchurch

The severity of the injuries are not known at this stage. Police said they await an update on conditions.

Witnesses told of the "stomach churning" moment their homes shook following the explosion as panicked residents fled their homes.

Jason Smedley, 46, managing director of Nail Harmony UK, said he was in his office at the time of the blast.

He said the debris from the flats had "blown out" across the road as he described chaotic scenes following the explosion.

He said: "We felt the whole building shake.

We pulled people back and told them to get out of the way," he said, adding that he and his staff brought people back to their office to give them shelter.

"Unfortunately there was a woman and her daughter, that were in the flat above, that heard the explosion, ran out, and we brought them back ... had just their dressing gowns on, so we just gave them tea and blankets. They've got nowhere to live tonight," he said.

Mr Smedley wrote on Facebook: "Carnage!! Never witnessed anything like that before. We all heard a massive explosion.. ran round to see the front of the house across the a127! Pray that no one was in the flats. Stomach churning!!"

London Fire Brigade said 10 fire engines had been sent to the street which has been cordoned off to allow emergency services to investigate.

Rescue effort: More than 70 firefighters were called to the flats in Hornchurch (PA)
Rescue effort: More than 70 firefighters were called to the flats in Hornchurch (PA)

A spokeswoman said an explosion took place in a three-storey block on the ground floor. The cause of the blast is under investigation.

Station manager Paul McClenaghan said: "Crews are continuing to work hard to get the fire under control and are also making efforts to ensure the structure of the building is safe.

"Around 30 people were led to safety from the block and they are now in the care of the local authority."

Taped off: Police, fire engines and ambulances all raced to the scene (PA)
Taped off: Police, fire engines and ambulances all raced to the scene (PA)

A police statement, issued just before 7pm, said: “Officers, the London Fire Brigade and the London Ambulance Service are currently at the scene.

"Two people at the scene were taken by London Ambulance Service to an east London hospital.

Scene: Emergency services at flats in Hornchurch (@allscores1)
Scene: Emergency services at flats in Hornchurch (@allscores1)

"Two people are currently being treated at the scene.

"One person presented themselves at an east London hospital with injuries.

"We await an update on their conditions.

"At this early stage officers are unable to confirm the cause of the explosion but enquires are underway.

"London Fire Brigade are also on scene.

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“Residents are in the process of being evacuated from the building. The local authority has been informed.

“Local road closures are in place. Motorists and pedestrians are advised to avoid the area.”

A London Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “We were called just before 5.15pm to reports of an incident at Southend Arterial Road, Hornchurch.

“We sent a number of resources to the scene including three ambulance crews, our Hazardous Area Response Team, a single responder in a car and a duty manager. The first of our medics arrived in under five minutes.

“We have now treated four patients at the scene and taken them all to hospital. We remain on scene."