A woman has died after a suspected gas explosion in a house.

The explosion was reported just before 1am in Fulbeck Road, Harrow, on Sunday night. 

Firefighters found a woman dead at the scene of the explosion which destroyed the floor and roof of a first floor flat.

A woman, baby and a man were also discovered in the second floor, and had to be rescued by emergency crews using a ladder.

They were assessed at the scene before being taken to hospital as a precaution by ambulance.

A total of 40 people were also rescued from the building by firefighters.

The fire was brought under control at 3.33am.

Around 70 firefighters and 10 fire engines and were called to the scene.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said:

“We were called at 1am to Verwood Road, Harrow, to reports of an incident.

“We sent two ambulance crews, an incident response officer and our hazardous area response team to the scene.

“We treated two people at the scene and took them to hospital.

"Sadly, a person was also found dead at the scene."