Multiple fatalities and casualties are feared in a suspected gas explosion in London.
The incident happened on Wednesday morning and led to the collapse of a building in Ealing.
Four adults and a child were rescued following the massive blast but crews have now said "we believe that there are fatalities within the property".
Locals reported the explosion happening inside a phone shop, Dr Phone, which has flats above, reports the Mirror.
Rescuers with search dogs are continuing to search for survivors in the wreckage on King Street.
The exact number of people who may have died in the explosion is not yet known.
Station Commander Paul Morgan said: “Our crews continue to search the property using specialist equipment including the use of a USAR dogs.
"Sadly we believe that there are fatalities within the property although we’re unable to confirm numbers at this stage. The explosion caused substantial damage to the shop and structural damage throughout.
“It is a painstaking and protracted incident with firefighters working systematically to stabilise the building and search for people involved. We’d ask for people to avoid the area at this time.
"In the initial stages firefighters rescued four adults and one child were rescued at the rear of the property using a ladder. A further fourteen adults and two children self evacuated from surrounding properties.”
More properties could yet be evacuated, Ealing Council said.
Shop owner Jatinder Singh, 36, said he received a phone call from a neighbour to tell him his mobile phone shop had been totally destroyed.
He told the Evening Standard: “It’s an absolute mess."
Station Commander Alan Brand, who is at the scene, said this morning: “Four adults and one child were rescued at the rear of the property by firefighters using a ladder.
"A further fourteen adults and two children self evacuated from surrounding properties. Specialist crews are searching the building for anyone else that may be involved."
Londone Fire Brigade was called at 6.38am. Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters from Southall, Hayes, Heston, Ealing and Feltham fire stations were at the scene.
Gliveera-Singh Purewall, 29, was asleep some 50 metres away when the blast went off.
Speaking to MyLondon, the builder said: “There was a huge blast that shook the room and the whole building. I work behind the shops and the whole buildings were shaking.
“Everyone woke up and came out of their homes. Mostly people did not know what happened and just listened to the blast.
“About 15 to 20 minutes later people went home and I stayed out on the street.”
Mr Purewall has been stood at the end of King Street for eight hours with other residents who cannot return home.
He added: “The whole room shook properly, stuff fell everywhere. Glasses, bottles of coke. Everything.
“Mostly this area is full of Sikh people so we were all up already. No one knows what happened as the road is closed.”
Footage from the scene earlier this morning shows a huge emergency response, with many saying the shop and some of the property above has been completely destroyed.
King Street is expected to be closed until tomorrow due to the ongoing searches in the building.
Ealing Council said: "Due to a suspected gas explosion on King Street in Ealing, nearby properties have had electricity and gas switched off.
"There may be a potential need for a further evacuation of nearby properties.
"Please avoid travelling to the area if possible."
