An explosion, believed to have been caused by pressure in a hot water cylinder, has seriously damaged one house and damaged another in Battersea.

Yesterday (August 10) at 1:47pm, fire crews were called to the scene of an explosion at an end-of-terrace house on Elsley Road.

One man left the building before fire crews arrived and was treated by paramedics at the scene.

A 25-metre cordon was put in place and residents of surrounding properties were evacuated.

As a precaution properties were also searched and gas supplies isolated while fire crews worked to make the area secure.

The explosion significantly damaged the building, with part of the roof collapsed and part of the front of the house collapsing onto the street.

A spokesperson for London Fire Brigade has said that the house was left with “serious structural damage.”

A spokesperson for London Fire Brigade said: "On arrival, smoke has subsided and there was no fire present.

“The house had sustained serious structural damage to its internal walls and ceilings and part of the front had collapsed into the street.”

A neighbouring property was also left damaged from the explosion.

The incident was under control by 4:34pm.

The explosion was originally suspected to be a gas explosion, however London Fire Brigade say the explosion is believed to have been accidentally caused by a build-up of pressure within a hot water cylinder on the first floor of the building.

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

“The whole of an end-of-terrace house was damaged by the explosion, resulting in a partial roof collapse.

“A small part of a neighbouring house was also damaged. One man left the building before the Brigade arrived and was treated on scene by London Ambulance Service crews.

"A 25-metre cordon was put in place and affected properties were evacuated. Firefighters searched neighbouring properties as a precaution and isolated gas supplies.

"One of the Brigade's 32-metre turntable ladders was used at the scene as an observation tower.

“The Brigade was called at 1347 and the incident was over for firefighters by 1634. Fire crews from Chelsea, Wandsworth, Brixton and Clapham fire stations attended the scene.

“The explosion is believed to have been accidental, due to a build-up of pressure within a hot water cylinder on the first floor of the property.”