'Absolute carnage' caused by suspected gas leak blast in Hendon

12:46pm Wednesday 1st July 2009

By Kevin Bradford

AN EXPLOSION caused “carnage” on the streets of Hendon in the early hours of this morning.

One elderly man had to be taken the Royal Free Hospital, in Hampstead, suffering from burns and smoke inhalation following the blast at about 2.15am.

Neighbours close to the flat where the incident happened spoke of their shock after hearing the “massive bang” in Bell Lane.

More than 30 people were evacuated by fire crews, who are working into the afternoon to make the area safe.

The one-bedroom property, which is above a small office, was completely destroyed in the suspected gas blast.

One neighbour, who lives opposite the flat, said: “I was asleep and woke up with shock when I heard the explosion.

“I heard glass shattering and I first of all thought someone was attacking my car.

“I went outside and saw there was absolute carnage. The roof was on the floor, the front windows were shattered and the window frame from the flat had been blown across the other side of the road into the front of my neighbour's house.

“The police were telling everyone there was a gas leak and we should get out of the area. It was the most shocking thing we have ever had around here.”

A fridge freezer and microwave could be seen teetering on the edge of the upstairs floorboards after the front wall had been completely blown away. Personal items were swamped under the wreckage of bricks and timber, and tiles and glass were smashed across the road.

People living a few doors down, behind the flat, also suffered damage, with windows cracking under the force of the blast and ornaments were thrown onto the floor.

Rosemary Charles, who lives in Alexandra Road, said: “It was the most amazing bang followed by shattering glass.

“It was really scary. I just wonder how my parents got through the war with the blitz every night because this alone was a really loud bang.

“The whole street came out and everyone was really chatty. The fire brigade advised us we would be safer in the house.”

Police sealed off the surrounding roads and about 20 firefighters tackled the blaze. The brigade's urban search and rescue team along with emergency control units attended the incident.

Mark Brown, station commander at Finchley, said: “There was some burning but it was more of an explosion than major flames.

“The teams are using sound and recording equipment to make sure no one is else in the property.

“We don't know the official cause of the explosion, but it is likely to be a gas leak. With gas, if it leaks for a long time and windows are closed then it will explode easily with an ignition source.”

The gas board isolated and turned off the gas supply serving the row of shops and the flats above.

Jenny Harvey, who works at the Flower Workshop next to the flat, said they rescued thousands of pounds worth of flowers this morning that had been prepared for a large wedding just hours later.

“My boss phoned as we were on our way to work about 6am to say there had been a massive explosion,” she said.

“We weren't allowed through initially, but when we saw the extent of the fire we thought how amazing it was that none of our stock was damaged.

“The next door place is absolutely gutted and we can't get to the front of our shop, it's terrible.”

Bell Lane Primary School and Children’s Centre stayed closed today due to the explosion.

Restrictions are still in place on Alexandra Road and Green Lane while the police and fire serve investigate the cause of the explosion.