7:40pm Saturday 10th May 2008
By Jack Royston
AROUND 40 evacuees from a South Harrow explosion could return to their homes this evening after Harrow Council began clearing away rubble earlier today.
A further 50 people are expected to spend a fourth night away from home due to structural damage caused by the blast, which happened on Wednesday evening, and the need for further safety checks.
Council officers were allowed into parts of the area currently cordoned off at midday today and 26 houses in Stanley Road, where the explosion hit, may be given back to their owners tonight.
This will leave 14 still unavailable in the street.
A further 12 houses in Sherwood Road are also being cleared, leaving three still within the cordon.
All 11 flats in nearby Rose Court will remain out of bounds until further checks and repairs can be made.
Fergus Shepherd, a spokesman for the council, said the operation would continue tomorrow.
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