A resident has described the children who lived in a house which collapsed amid an explosion in Thornton Heath as “lively” and “happy”.

London Ambulance Service confirmed that a child had died after the incident in Galpin’s Road in Thornton Heath on Monday morning.

No further details have been given.

Your Local Guardian: (photo: London Fire Brigade)(photo: London Fire Brigade)

A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “This morning, alongside colleagues from London Fire Brigade, we attended an incident in Galpin’s 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.”

Your Local Guardian: (photo: PA)(photo: PA)

A resident has described the children who lived in the house as “lively” and “happy”.

Maureen Clare, 74, told the PA news agency that there were four children and a mother living in the terrace house in Croydon.

Ms Clare, who lives opposite and was visibly shaken by the incident, told PA: “They’re very lively kids.

“They were always mischievous, happy and bouncing around.”

London Fire Brigade (LFB) deputy assistant commissioner Richard Welch, who is at the scene in Thornton Heath, said in a statement: “Firefighters carried out a search of the property and sadly, a child was pronounced dead at the scene.

“Our thoughts are with their family, friends and the local community at this time.”

Your Local Guardian: (photo: PA)(photo: PA)

Around 40 properties have been evacuated as a precaution by LFB and a 50-metre cordon is in place.

Dozens of residents gathered beside a police cordon on the end of the street hours after the explosion, which was reported at 7.08am.

Several residents also raised concerns for a woman living in the house next door, which was damaged by the blast, after her husband was seen searching for her.

Many also said they reported a strong gas smell in the area which had persisted for around two weeks.

Residents added that engineers had been working on the street but had not been seen for a few days.

Galpin’s Road residents Delroy Simms, 62, and Kutoya Kukanda, 50, have been called “heroes” after they rescued three children from the house moments after the blast.

LFB has said the cause of the explosion is unknown.

A spokeswoman from gas distribution company SGN, which is the gas emergency service in the area, said: “Following the explosion in Galpin’s Road, Thornton Heath, earlier today, our deepest sympathies are with the family of the child who has tragically died as well as those who have been injured.

“We’d like to reassure everyone that our engineers are working closely with the emergency services to establish the cause of the explosion.

"Given the ongoing police investigation, it is inappropriate to comment any further at this stage.”