Explosion damages house in south-west London

Firefighters are at the scene of an explosion at a house in south-west London that caused a roof to partially collapse.

The blast damaged the end-of-terrace house in Elsley Road, Battersea, on Thursday, the London Fire Brigade (LFB) said.

One man left the building before firefighters arrived and was checked over at the scene by paramedics.

A 25-metre cordon is in place and affected properties were evacuated, the LFB added.

A spokesperson for gas company Cadent said the explosion was “not gas-related” after the LFB earlier said it suspected it was.

Firefighters were called at 1.47pm and crews from Chelsea, Wandsworth, Brixton and Clapham fire stations went to the scene.

Photos from just outside the cordon show bricks, glass and other debris strewn on the pavement and road.

The cause is not known at this time, the LFB said.

A Cadent spokesperson said its engineers were called to the blast scene, adding: “We have tested our gas network and it is sound and no gas escaped.

“We have been advised by the emergency services on site this is not gas-related.

“However, we may cut off the gas supply to this one property for safety reasons and because the building is not structurally sound.

“Our engineers will be leaving the site once this work is complete.

“It is now up to the fire and rescue service to investigate the cause of this incident.”