People are being warned to avoid the area after homes have been evacuated and a 25-metre cordon is in place after a suspected gas explosion at a house in Battersea.

At 1:47pm today (Thursday) firefighters were called to the scene of an explosion on Elsley Road.

The explosion, which is currently suspected to be a gas explosion, has damaged an end-of-terrace house in the road, with part of the building collapsed.

A 25-metre cordon is currently in place and residents of affected properties are being evacuated.

London Fire Brigade has advised people to “avoid the area” whilst fire crews from surrounding areas work to make the area secure.

The cause of the explosion is currently not known.

A spokesperson for London Fire Brigade said: “Firefighters have been called to an explosion at a house on Elsley Road in Battersea.

“A suspected gas explosion is affecting the whole of an end-of-terrace house, resulting in a partial roof collapse. One man left the building before the Brigade arrived and is being assessed on scene by London Ambulance Service crews.

“A 25-metre cordon is in place and affected properties are being evacuated.

“The Brigade was called at 1347. Fire crews from Chelsea, Wandsworth, Brixton and Clapham fire stations are at the scene.

“The cause is not known at this time.”

In a tweet, London Fire Brigade said: “Firefighters have been called to an explosion at a house on Elsley Road in #Battersea.

“25-metre cordon is in place and affected properties are being evacuated.

“Please avoid the area whilst we make the scene safe.”