Thornton Heath fatal explosion: SGN faces 'serious questions', MP says

Neighbours of a young girl who was killed in an explosion say they want answers from their gas supplier.

Three other people were taken to hospital after the blast at a house in Thornton Heath, south London.

Residents say they reported a strong smell of gas two weeks ago and recently saw engineers working in the area.

Their MP, Siobhain McDonagh, said Southern Gas Networks (SGN) had "very serious questions to answer". It says it is trying to find out what happened.

The Labour MP for Mitcham and Morden added: "There is a lot of anger around SGN and delays in resolving the gas leak."

About 100 people have been evacuated from their homes since Monday morning's explosion, which happened days after workers were seen digging holes nearby.

A police cordon was extended on Tuesday lunchtime at the request of the Health and Safety Executive which is seeing elevated gas readings, according to London Fire Brigade (LFB).

Police confirmed the body of a girl, believed to be aged four, was recovered from a house in Galpin's Road.

Merton Council said the blast was caused by gas, describing it as a "major incident", while LFB is investigating the cause.

SGN said its "deepest sympathies are with the family of the child who has tragically died as well as those who have been injured".

A spokeswoman added: "We'd like to reassure everyone that our engineers are working closely with the emergency services to establish the cause of the explosion."

She added that SGN would continue to have a presence in the area in the coming days and weeks and that given the ongoing police investigation, it was unable to comment any further at this stage.

One neighbour described cutting his arm after being knocked out of bed by a "massive boom" on Monday at about 07:10 BST.

Neil Novis told the BBC one of those rescued was "really badly burnt" and "in a bad way".

He said: "I just can't emphasise enough how badly I feel for the family and how well the emergency services have done."

Residents were briefed on the situation by Merton Council officers, the Metropolitan Police and LFB at the nearby New Horizon Centre on Monday evening.

Some grew agitated and raised their voices as they were told they would not be able to return to their homes and that workers had been unable to turn off the gas.

The Reverend Deji Ayorinde, of the nearby Pollards Hill Baptist Church, said there was "anger in the room".

"There is anger in the community surrounding unanswered questions," he added.

Mr Ayorinde said there was also anger that no representatives of gas companies were at the briefing to answer questions.

He added: "This thing was reported and it still wasn't resolved days or weeks later.

"Who takes ownership for that? The anger has built up because it has now cost a life and that's a catalyst for the strength of emotion around this."

The electricity was switched off in Galpin's Road as a precaution, which also affected households that were not in the cordoned-off exclusion zone.

Residents were being housed in nearby accommodation by the council, with one suggesting that authorities said it could take up to 10 days before they could return home.

Children have written touching tributes in chalk on the ground near the scene.

One said "spread your wings" alongside drawings of hearts and rainbows beside the police cordon at the junction of Berkshire Way and Galpin's Road.

Follow BBC London on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected]