Angry residents of a street where a four-year-old girl died in a horror explosion say they had been smelling gas for a week, and engineers who had been working on a possible leak had not been seen for days.
The gas explosion "completely wiped out" two houses in Thornton Heath, Croydon, South London, and tragically claimed the girl's life this morning.
Dozens of worried residents gathered beside a police cordon with some saying said they had reported a strong gas smell two weeks ago, and others said they had been feeling dizzy and sick over the last two days.
Charlie Camdell, 36, who lives four doors down from the blast, said he could smell gas for the last week or so.
Recalling the incident, he said he woke up around 5am this morning and was in the front room of his home when the inside of his window shattered.
He said: "My partner said 'there has been a gas explosion' because she had been smelling the gas for a few days."
He added he "can't smell anything at all now," as he has " seen people maintaining it and they had dug into the road before it."
"For the last week or so you could really strongly smell gas," he added.
"Someone was shouting 'what about my child' and they were just crying saying 'they can't find her body."'
Other angry residents have complained that gas engineers had been seen working on the street, but had shockingly not been present for the last few days.
Local residents Delroy Simms, 62, and Kutoya Kukanda, 50, have been called "heroes" after they rescued three children from the house moments after the blast.
Mr Simms, said: "I was getting ready to go to work when I heard the explosion.
"I already knew what it was because that gas was smelling all week, really strong. It was giving me a headache yesterday.
"My neighbour has been calling them (gas engineers) all week."
Mr Simms' wife, Elene, said: "We want to know why the gas board aren't here. It's been more than two weeks."
The leader of Merton Council has meanwhile confirmed that the incident was the result of a gas explosion, declaring that residents have the right to answers as to how and why it happened.
Councillor Ross Garrod said earlier this afternoon: "We're all devastated by today's news at the tragic death of a child as a result of a gas explosion at Galpin's Road.
"Our thoughts and hearts are with the family affected, and I know everyone in our community will feel the same.
"Residents rightly have questions that they want answers to, and a full investigation is underway by the relevant authorities."
The council has also been helping transport elderly and infirm residents who are unable to leave their homes.
Mr Garrod added that the community has been “torn apart by tragedy” following the child’s death.
He told journalists: “We have been overwhelmed by the kindness that residents and local groups have shown to other members of their community and thank everyone for their understanding.
“This is such an inspiring community, today it has been torn apart by tragedy.
“But we will keep pulling together and keep doing everything we can to support those affected.”
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.”
He added the council has opened an evacuation centre at the New Horizons Centre in Croydon, which has so far supported around 100 residents.
40 properties have been evacuated as a precaution, and a 50-metre cordon in the area is now in place.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson from the London Fire Service (LAS) also made a statement this afternoon.
A LAS spokesperson said: "This morning, alongside colleagues from @LondonFire, we attended an incident in Thornton Heath.
"We treated four people. One was discharged and three others were taken to hospital.
"Sadly, a child was also pronounced dead at the scene. All LAS crews have now been stood down."
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said his “heart goes out to the loved ones of the young child who has tragically lost their life”.
“This is truly awful news and my thoughts are with all those who have been impacted.”
