An investigation has been launched after a fire broke out at a block of flats in north-west London which left one woman dead.
Seventy firefighters attended after London Fire Brigade were called to reports of a suspected gas explosion in Fulbeck Way, Harrow, on Sunday morning.
A first-floor flat was destroyed in the two-hour blaze and the woman’s body was found at 4am as firefighters searched the scene, Metropolitan Police said.
A baby, man and woman were rescued by ladder from a flat on the second floor, which was not affected by the fire.
The trio were taken to hospital as a precaution.
Local resident Rahman Alanezi told the Press Association: “Everyone was screaming that there was a baby inside and they took him out.”
He added that an “old lady” was missing after the blast.
Firefighters are expected to remain at the scene throughout Sunday, the brigade said.
Around 40 people from properties within the block were evacuated due to the blaze, which began shortly before 1am.
The LFB and the Met are probing the cause of the blast and the Health and Safety Executive has been informed.