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| NEWS | | | | COMPETITIONS | | Confronting the clampers
Reporter Alex Hayes went to a car compound near Iver to collect a car which had been towed away by a clamping company.
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'I heard people screaming'
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| Investigators have been surveying the damage. |
A FATHER of three has described hearing screams as he and his family fled their home after a gas explosion.
Paul Redmond, 47, of Stanley Road, said his children had just gone to bed when the blast levelled two houses and damaged the one next door.
He said: "There was an almighty bang, I can still hear it in my head.
"All sorts of things were going through my mind. The three kids ran straight into my room, thankfully they were alive.
"We got out of the house as soon as we could.
"As I went out there was still rubble falling from the house next door, I heard people in the rubble screaming.
"There was a lady burried and they were trying to get her free."
The explosion, which happened shortly after 9.30pm, killed one man and left a 26-year-old man with head injuries and a 17-year-old girl with burns.
Four ambulances and a fast response car were sent to the scene and the 26-year-old was taken to Northwick Park Hospital, in Watford Road, while the girl was taken to a specialist burns unit at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, in south west London.
A hazard area response team, capable of treating patients inside the police cordon, was also sent to the scene.
Councillor Bob Currie, of Kings Road, said he heard the explosion after returning from Harrow Arts Centre, in Uxbridge Road, Hatch End.
He said: "Not long after geting in I heard this almighty bang. Everyone was outside looking but I couldn't see anything. I called the police, though.
"My condolences go out to the family and the injured and the people who must be homeless.
I'll have to find the family and send them a card."
Cllr Currie, of Roxbourne ward, said he is meeting with the police at 2pm today to discuss the issue in greater depth.
A number of residents were moved to the Royal British Legion headquarters, in Northolt Road, after the blast, in Stanley Road, before being moved to nearby hotels.
In total 29 people were put in emergency accommodation by Harrow Council.
Fergus Shepherd, a spokesman for the council, said it was in contact with emergency services at the scene and would continue to provide places for people to stay if necessary.
He added that the council would provide transport and financial help to those affected if necessary.
The council has set up a hotline for friends and family of people who may have been affected by the blast.
The number is 0208 736 6000.
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11:33am Thursday 8th May 2008
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CommentPosted by: BooRaider, Hillingdon on 8:31pm Thu 8 May 08
My wife and I heard the explosion while we were watching The Apprentice and we live near the old Master Brewer site on the Uxbridge side of the A40!
Condolences to the victims family and best wishes to the injured.
My wife and I heard the explosion while we were watching The Apprentice and we live near the old Master Brewer site on the Uxbridge side of the A40!
Condolences to the victims family and best wishes to the injured.
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