More, but not all, households are allowed to return home after a gas explosion which killed a four-year-old girl more than two weeks ago at a home in Thornton Heath.

More than 500 people were evacuated from Galpin’s Road in Thornton Heath after a blast destroyed a terraced house and killed four-year-old Sahara Salman on August 8.

Three other people were seriously injured, including an 11-year-old boy and a 54-year-old woman.

Merton Council and the Met Police have agreed on the removal of the outer cordon at the southern end of Galpin's Road as the properties are now gas-safe.

Your Local Guardian: Leaflets are posted through a resident's door offering advice as they return to their homes in Galpin's Road (picture: August 17/ PA)Leaflets are posted through a resident's door offering advice as they return to their homes in Galpin's Road (picture: August 17/ PA)

Around 60 households will be supported in returning home over the coming days.

Merton Council has asked residents not to return yet and has said it will contact each household to make sure returns are staggered and support is in place.

Police are still investigating the cause of the explosion and are working with the Health and Safety Executive.

Your Local Guardian: Residents Rose and Kes Bala dispose of spoiled food as they return to their home in Galpin's Road (photo: August 17/ PA)Residents Rose and Kes Bala dispose of spoiled food as they return to their home in Galpin's Road (photo: August 17/ PA)

Officers say it is "the most complex investigation" to be remembered in Merton.

They have explained that the search and forensic examination of the scene requires the involvement of a number of specialists and they anticipate the investigative work to continue to several weeks.

This means the centre of Galpin's Road will remain impassable.

Merton Council is building a road across the Common to allow residents to the south of where the explosion occurred, to gain access to their vehicles and properties while Galpin's Road is blocked, and for emergency vehicle access to those homes when they are reoccupied.

Your Local Guardian: Undated family handout photo issued by the Metropolitan Police of Sahara Salman, 4, who died in the gas explosion Undated family handout photo issued by the Metropolitan Police of Sahara Salman, 4, who died in the gas explosion

The temporary access road is from from Commonside East, across Mitcham Common to the southern end of Galpin’s Road.

Over the weekend, cars were removed from the immediate vicinity of the explosion so that specialist equipment needed for the investigation can gain access freely and without delay, and to avoid the possibility of damaging cars left at the scene.

Cordons are in place and officers hope to be able to reduce the cordon to the south of Galpin's Road when the temporary access road is built.

However, while officers are working at the scene, a cordon will remain in place in the immediate vicinity.

People not be able to return to their homes if they are within a cordon.

Your Local Guardian: The scene in Galpin's Road on August 10 (photo: PA)The scene in Galpin's Road on August 10 (photo: PA)

The Met Police, Merton Council and other partners say they are working very closely to ensure disruption is minimised.

Officers continue to obtain accounts from witnesses, and anyone with any information is asked to contact the incident room on 020 8785 8244.

The Met Police has thanked residents for their support and understanding at this "difficult time" as officers "work tirelessly".

It added that thoughts remain with the family of Sahara and those in hospital.

Merton Council said each resident will get the following support as they return home:

  • Bins emptied, as well as providing extra on-street bins for disposal of rubbish from inside people’s homes
  • Provide professional cleaners on-site to help them clean up their property
  • Any pest control needed as some homes have been left in the heat with food inside them
  • Every household will receive a welcome home pack including supermarket and takeaway vouchers 
  • A community assistance team which will be working on site to help with any queries and issues residents have as they move home

Merton Council has thanked residents for continued patience, as well as the hundreds of council staff and volunteers both on site, at the Civic Centre and at the New Horizon Centre for their "continued work around the clock" to ensure residents get the help they need.

Residents intending to go back to their homes straightaway are advised that they return at their own risk for the time it takes to build the temporary road, because, until then, there will be no access for emergency vehicles to the southern end of Galpin’s Road.