Emergency services have stated there has been “no update” about the house explosion in Thornton Heath.

Earlier this morning (August 9), the Metropolitan Police and London Fire Brigade both confirmed there has been no update about the terraced home which collapsed after a gas explosion and fire in Galpin’s Road yesterday morning.

Neighbours have said that engineers had been working on the street last week but had not been seen for a few days.

READ MORE: Police investigating explosion at Croydon home as gas company issues statement

Merton Council said more than 100 people have been evacuated after a four-year-old girl was killed in the explosion.

It comes after residents said they reported a strong gas smell in the area which had persisted for around two weeks.

London Fire Brigade (LFB) has said the cause of the fire and explosion is yet to be confirmed and an investigation is underway.

Your Local Guardian: London Fire Brigade Deputy Assistant Commissioner Richard Welch, speaks to the media at the scene in Galpin's Road in Thornton Heath, south London (image: PA)London Fire Brigade Deputy Assistant Commissioner Richard Welch, speaks to the media at the scene in Galpin's Road in Thornton Heath, south London (image: PA)

A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police says they “do not have anything further to issue” on the incident at this stage.

Mr Simms, dressed in his pyjamas by the cordon, told PA: “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.”

READ MORE: Child dies at scene after devastating house explosion in Croydon

“When I heard the explosion, it was like an earthquake,” he said.

“It shook me up, and my house. The shutters on our windows blew off their hinges.

“I went to the window and saw the devastation.”

Dozens of residents gathered beside a police cordon on the end of the street hours after the explosion, which was reported at 7.08am.

Your Local Guardian: London Fire Brigade Deputy Assistant Commissioner Richard Welch, speaks to the media at the scene in Galpin's Road in Thornton Heath, south London (image: PA)London Fire Brigade Deputy Assistant Commissioner Richard Welch, speaks to the media at the scene in Galpin's Road in Thornton Heath, south London (image: PA)

Several residents also raised concerns for a woman living in the house next door, which was damaged by the blast, after her husband was seen searching for her.

Responding to the claim over residents smelling gas in a press conference, Mr Welch said: “Unfortunately we can’t say if it’s gas that’s caused it. It will become a police investigation now.

“We dealt with the emergency phase of the incident, and we will be handing it over to local authorities and local police.”

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.

Your Local Guardian: Handout photo issued by local resident Amarjit Kaur of gas engineers working in Galpin's Road in Thornton Heath, south London some time last week (image: PA Media)Handout photo issued by local resident Amarjit Kaur of gas engineers working in Galpin's Road in Thornton Heath, south London some time last week (image: PA Media)

“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.”

A spokesperson for London Fire Brigade said: “We don’t have anything further to issue on the incident at this stage.”

A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said: “No update at this time.

“You might want to try LFB/LAS, but nothing from our side.”