FIRE crews were called to a blaze and explosion at a house in North Road, Southall this morning (12).

An end-terrace house suffered significant structural damage and there was a fire on the first floor, which is now under control.

Seven people left the building and one man was treated at the scene by London Ambulance staff. 

Station Commander Matt Williams, who was at the scene, said crews used an aerial ladder as they carried out a systematic search of the building.

North Road, at the junctions of High Street, Kingsley Avenue and Shrubbery Road, was closed.

The brigade were called at 9.48 and were still at the scene in mid-afternoon.

Six fire engines and around 40 crew from Southall, Ealing, Hillingdon, Hayes, Northolt and Heston were in attendance.

The cause is under investigation.