POLICE have confirmed the name of a victim who was killed after a house explosion in Thornton Heath.  

While formal identification awaits, officers say the victim can be named as a four-year-old girl Sahara Salman.  

Sahara was killed after a blast wrecked her home in Galpin’s Road on August 8 just after 7am. 

A boy, 11, and a woman, 54, were also found injured and taken to hospital for treatment.  

They both remain in hospital – neither are in a life-threatening condition. 

A number of neighbouring homes were evacuated as a precaution following the incident. 

This was due to high readings of gas in the area. 

The council has provided assistance to more than 200 residents, including helping with food and accommodation.  

Road closures will remain in place around the scene while works continue.

Firefighters said investigations to establish the cause are ongoing.

Acting BCU commander for the south west command unit Richard Smith said: “The thoughts of all of us at the Metropolitan Police remain with Sahara’s family, and those who have been injured following this fire and explosion in Galpins Road.

“This has been a shocking event that has understandably had a deep impact on the local community.

“Officers, along with the Health and Safety Executive, are working diligently to ensure that the cause of this incident is established and it is safe for those residents who have been displaced to return to their homes.

“It is difficult to put a definitive timeframe on when this will be but it must be done with the safety of residents first.

“I want to reassure those affected that we will be doing this as swiftly as the investigation allows.

“The patience and understanding of local residents and the wider community in Mitcham and Thornton Heath is very much appreciated while this work remains ongoing.” 

Delroy Simms, 62, whose shutters blew off his windows during the explosion, told the PA news agency he could smell gas for “at least two weeks” before the blast, describing the situation as “a time bomb”.

Mr Simms, who has been evacuated to a nearby hotel with five members of his family, was hailed as a “hero” alongside Kutoya Kukanda, 50, after they rescued three children from the rubble.

The resident said he was with his neighbour when she called the gas company on Wednesday – five days before the explosion.

Mr Simms told PA on Tuesday: “She was telling them, ‘The smell, it’s really, really strong, someone needs to be here’.

“I was there during the conversation.”

Describing the smell, Mr Simms, a sales assistant, said: “It was potent.

“I remember on the Sunday my wife said, ‘That gas is really strong, they should be evacuating us’.

“That day I came home from work, got out of the car and started with an instant headache.

“It was a time bomb waiting to happen.”

Mr Simms said he now feels so unsafe in his home he is considering moving away.

A number of Thornton Heath residents, several of whom recalled a strong smell of gas in the prior two weeks, have expressed outrage over the blast.

A spokesman for SGN, the gas company, said this week: “We understand the local community has also been deeply affected by the serious incident and we’d like to reassure everyone we are working closely with investigators and assisting the emergency services.

“SGN will continue to have a presence on site in the coming days.

“Given the ongoing police investigation, we are unable to comment any further at this stage.”

Merton Council leader Ross Garrod said the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) told him the situation had not stabilised since the explosion and criticised insurance companies for “refusing basic accommodation” for those affected.

Speaking on Tuesday evening, Mr Garrod said: “Firstly, I would like to say that the thoughts of everyone remain with the family of the young girl who tragically lost her life.

“This morning the Health and Safety Executive attended Galpin’s Road to begin investigations.

“Southern Gas Networks (SGN) also remain on site.

“The HSE immediately advised that the cordon be extended to 200 metres.

“There is still a strong smell of gas and we understand the leak may take some days to stop.

“I would like to stress that this is a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of residents.

“We are also facing real challenges, not least among the response of insurance companies, many of whom are refusing basic accommodation for homeowners. This is unacceptable.”

A spokesperson for Metropolitan Police said: “Due to the sensitive and complex nature of the incident, the Met's Specialist Crime Command are now investigating, working in conjunction with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

“The South West Command Unit continues to provide support.

“Cordons currently in place were extended on Tuesday, 9 August, and a number of neighbouring properties evacuated as a precaution – this was due to high readings of gas in the area.

“Police were called shortly after 07:00hrs on Monday, 8 August following reports of a fire and explosion at a residential property in Galpins Road, Mitcham.

“London Fire Brigade attended and the body of a child was recovered from a building.

“Her next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers.

“While formal identification awaits, the child can be named as four-year-old Sahara Salman. A post-mortem examination will be held in due course.

“Two other people – an 11-year-old boy and a 54-year-old woman - remain in hospital receiving treatment – neither is in a life threatening condition. 

“Road closures will remain in place around the scene while this work continues.” 

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