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Blast house mystery liquid attack Blast house mystery liquid attack
(10 minutes later)
The London house at the centre of an explosion which left one man dead was targeted by vandals hours earlier, police said.The London house at the centre of an explosion which left one man dead was targeted by vandals hours earlier, police said.
Officers were initially called after reports of a gas explosion in Stanley Road, South Harrow, on Wednesday night.Officers were initially called after reports of a gas explosion in Stanley Road, South Harrow, on Wednesday night.
A purple liquid was poured through the letterbox of house about 10 hours before, which police say "may well be" linked to the blast.A purple liquid was poured through the letterbox of house about 10 hours before, which police say "may well be" linked to the blast.
A girl aged 17 was probably the target of the attack, detectives believe.A girl aged 17 was probably the target of the attack, detectives believe.
The dead man has been identified as 26-year-old businessman Emad Qureshi.The dead man has been identified as 26-year-old businessman Emad Qureshi.
Two others were injured in the explosion, a teenage girl, who suffered serious burns, and a 26-year-old man. Both remain in hospital.Two others were injured in the explosion, a teenage girl, who suffered serious burns, and a 26-year-old man. Both remain in hospital.
Gas explosion 'unlikely'Gas explosion 'unlikely'
Two houses were completely destroyed and a third house was affected as a result of the blast, which detectives say is being treated as suspicious.Two houses were completely destroyed and a third house was affected as a result of the blast, which detectives say is being treated as suspicious.
Officers now believe the explosion occurred at house number 21, where the girl lived. The mysterious liquid was poured through the house's letterbox, police said.Officers now believe the explosion occurred at house number 21, where the girl lived. The mysterious liquid was poured through the house's letterbox, police said.
Mr Quereshi lived next door at number 23 and the injured man was visiting him. Mr Qureshi lived next door at number 23 and the injured man was visiting him.
Det Ch Insp Colin Sutton said: "We still haven't ruled out a gas explosion but experts say it is unlikely to be the cause."Det Ch Insp Colin Sutton said: "We still haven't ruled out a gas explosion but experts say it is unlikely to be the cause."
The night before the explosion at the property, a local resident had complained about a gang of teenage girls gathered outside the house.The night before the explosion at the property, a local resident had complained about a gang of teenage girls gathered outside the house.
Nearly 40 people have been moved to temporary accommodationNearly 40 people have been moved to temporary accommodation
Mr Sutton said detectives were looking into the complaint along with the letterbox incident.Mr Sutton said detectives were looking into the complaint along with the letterbox incident.
"It was a liquid substance and it was purple in colour."It was a liquid substance and it was purple in colour.
"A strong line of inquiry for us at the moment is the dispute, this call at the address and of course the substance put through the letterbox."A strong line of inquiry for us at the moment is the dispute, this call at the address and of course the substance put through the letterbox.
"There may well be a connection between this liquid and the cause of the explosion that happened.""There may well be a connection between this liquid and the cause of the explosion that happened."
He said the disturbance was reported on Wednesday morning and the liquid was poured between 0900 BST and 1100 BST.He said the disturbance was reported on Wednesday morning and the liquid was poured between 0900 BST and 1100 BST.
'Targeted attack''Targeted attack'
He added the liquid was not reported to them until after the blast and that experts are yet to determine what it was.He added the liquid was not reported to them until after the blast and that experts are yet to determine what it was.
The injured girl probably knew the teenagers who caused the disturbance, Mr Sutton said.The injured girl probably knew the teenagers who caused the disturbance, Mr Sutton said.
"They are obviously people she knows, who were there to do her some harm... it (the attack) was targeted.""They are obviously people she knows, who were there to do her some harm... it (the attack) was targeted."
Mr Quereshi's body was removed from the scene by London Fire Brigade on Thursday night. Mr Qureshi's body was removed from the scene by London Fire Brigade on Thursday night.
About 40 people who live in Stanley Road have been taken to temporary accommodation as recovery work continues.About 40 people who live in Stanley Road have been taken to temporary accommodation as recovery work continues.
Harrow Council said the road may not reopen for five or six days.Harrow Council said the road may not reopen for five or six days.
The sound of the explosion could be heard in Northwood, more than five miles away.The sound of the explosion could be heard in Northwood, more than five miles away.