Thornton Heath: Child dies as house collapses after explosion
Four people were rescued from the wreckage
Last updated 8th Aug 2022
A child has sadly died after a terraced house collapsed following a fire and explosion in Croydon, south London.
Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters were called to the building on Galpin's Road in Thornton Heath, at 07:08 this morning, after responding to 13 emergency calls.
Four people have been rescued from the wreckage, which left neighbouring properties also damaged. One person has been released from a neighbouring building.
People have been treated at the scene, with one discharged and three others taken to hospital with life threatening injuries.
Sadly, a child was pronounced dead at the scene.
A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said:
“This morning, alongside colleagues from London Fire Brigade, we attended an incident in Galpins Road, Thornton heath.
“We treated four people. One was discharged on scene and three others were taken to hospital. Sadly, a child was also pronounced dead at the scene.
“All London Ambulance Service crews have now been stood down.”
The cause of the fire is still unknown.
Speaking at a press briefing at Galpin's Road this afternoon, Deputy Assistant Commissioner at London Fire Brigade, Richard Welch, said his thoughts are with the families of those affected by this tragedy:
"Three people have been taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service crews, and a further person was treated at the incident.
"Firefighters carried out a substantial search of the property. Sadly a child was pronounced dead at the scene. Our thoughts are with their family, friends and the local community at this time."
Around 40 properties have been evacuated and a 50-metre cordon has been put in place, while fire crews will remain at the scene overnight, as Deputy Assistant Commissioner, Richard Welch, explains:
"There is a number of properties that have suffered damage from the blast itself, and at the moment there are 40 properties that have been evacuated.
"We have had an explosion, the blast area was quite substantial, so for the public safety we've kept the cordon quite large.
Asked by a reporter if the incident was caused by a gas explosion, he said the cause of the fire is not yet known and the incident will be investigated by police.
"Unfortunately we can't say if it's gas that caused it, it will become a police investigation now. We dealt with the emergency phase of the incident and we will hand it over to local authority and the local police."
Galpin's Road in Thornton Heath is to remain closed between Berkshire Way and South Lodge Avenue for the time being, as an investigation begins into what caused the fire and explosion.
Yorkshire Road and South Lodge Avenue are also shut, with buses 152 and 255 on diversion.