TWO people have been killed and five rescued after a suspected gas explosion at a shop today.
Firefighters were called at 6.40am after the blast destroyed a phone store and ripped through the flat above in Southall, West London.
Four adults and a child were pulled to safety by crews.
A further 16 people, including two kids, fled the surrounding buildings in King Street.
This afternoon London Fire Brigade confirmed two people have died and at least one person was injured in the blast.
Station Commander Paul Morgan said: “It has been a painstaking and protracted incident with firefighters working systematically to stabilise the building and search for people involved.
“Operations have been concluded for the evening and will restart in the morning.”
Police are not treating the blast as suspicious.
The owner of Dr Phone – the mobile phone shop phone destroyed – said he was shocked when he arrived this morning.
He told the Standard: “It’s an absolute mess.
“I’m ok, I was outside the shop. The police are not letting me in but everything is destroyed. The police have a special dog team and are keeping everyone away.”
Several roads remain closed.
