A building in South Norwood has partly collapsed after a gas explosion, leaving three people injured.

Firefighters, police and paramedics were called to Portland Road at about 5.45pm yesterday following reports a shopfront had fallen onto the street.

Carribean Dreads salon, on the ground floor of the three-storey building, was badly damaged by the explosion.

Three people escaped the building and were treated for minor injuries by London Ambulance Service.

Police shut the road following the explosion while London Fire Brigade carried on checks on the building, which has flats on its top two floors.

The brigade sent a fire engine from Woodside and a fire rescue unit from Croydon station. Firefighters were on the scene until 7.35pm.

Croydon Council have been informed and work will be undertaken to make sure the building is safe.