A gas explosion has devastated a home on Ley Street in Ilford, east London, triggering a massive fire and sending debris into the road. The blast occurred on Tuesday evening and caused significant damage to the mid-terraced property, which had been converted into flats.
Two people were rescued by the London Fire Brigade from a first-floor window and were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Isobel Rowland, 73, who lives across from the property, described the scene as terrifying. "The flames were so high, I was terrified, I was shaking, I was absolutely shaking," she said. Rowland initially thought there had been a car crash but was shocked to see the home on fire after checking outside.
The property, which housed several people, including a mother and son, suffered extensive damage. The roof was completely destroyed, and much of the building, including the ground and first floors, as well as a loft conversion, was engulfed by the fire. Two neighboring homes were also affected by the explosion.
Eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters responded to the scene shortly after 16:00 GMT, and the fire was brought under control by 18:30. At the height of the blaze, the first floor and loft conversion were fully alight.
The cause of the gas leak is currently under investigation.