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Six hurt as tornado hits London Six hurt as tornado hits London
(about 1 hour later)
Six people were injured and up to 150 houses were damaged when a tornado swept through several London streets leaving a trail of destruction. Many people are spending the night in a respite centre after a tornado ripped through several streets in northwest London.
Rooftops were ripped off and cars were badly damaged as the twister hit the Kensal Rise area of north-west London. Up to 150 houses and many cars were damaged when the freak weather hit the Kensal Rise area.
One man suffered a serious head injury and five have been treated for minor injuries and shock. One man in his 50s suffered a serious head injury and five were treated for minor injuries and shock.
Fire services have sealed six roads in a zone covering a quarter of a square mile and searched 100 properties. Fire services have sealed six roads in a zone covering a quarter of a square mile and searched at least 100 homes.
Fire crews were called at about 1100 GMT on Thursday to Chamberlayne Road and surrounding streets, amid reports of collapsed scaffolding and damage to buildings.Fire crews were called at about 1100 GMT on Thursday to Chamberlayne Road and surrounding streets, amid reports of collapsed scaffolding and damage to buildings.
One user's picture diary
Witnesses said there was heavy rain and sleet, then debris flying through the air.Witnesses said there was heavy rain and sleet, then debris flying through the air.
Resident Colin Brewer said: "It was really, really incredible. All of a sudden I saw a swirl starting to form and then, it was amazing, but it then touched land.Resident Colin Brewer said: "It was really, really incredible. All of a sudden I saw a swirl starting to form and then, it was amazing, but it then touched land.
href="/1/hi/in_pictures/6218634.stm" class="">One user's picture diary "I then saw clumps of all sorts of things flying into air. It went from exciting to terrifying."
"I then saw clumps of all sorts of things flying into air. Local resident Daniel Bidgood said: "I was in my living room and I heard a big crack of lightning and thunder, then as I went to the window I heard a sound which was like standing behind a jetliner.
"It went from exciting to terrifying." "I could see a huge cloud rolling up the street, making this tremendous sound.
"I went to try to take a picture of it but a shower of debris smashed all the windows of my house."
He reported seeing trees ripped up from the roots, front doors missing, windows smashed and people being hit on the head by flying objects.He reported seeing trees ripped up from the roots, front doors missing, windows smashed and people being hit on the head by flying objects.
The UK experiences an estimated 50 tornadoes on land each year, putting it top of the European twister league. Dave Bonner, of London Fire Brigade, said one house had its roof completely removed while another had an exterior wall demolished.
Residents returning from work were told to report to the Church of the Transfiguration hall in Chamberlayne Road where they would be met by police and local authority representatives.
Brent Council has set up a respite centre at the nearby Legion Hall on Albert Road for residents who have been made temporarily homeless.
A council spokeswoman said about 70 people are at the hall but they are preparing to help about 150.
The UK experiences an estimated 50 tornadoes on land each year, putting it top of the European league.
The BBC Weather Centre said the tornado lasted less than minute.The BBC Weather Centre said the tornado lasted less than minute.
"To see a tornado is not that unusual - but the magnitude of the damage due to the one in north-west London is," said BBC meteorologist Susan Powell."To see a tornado is not that unusual - but the magnitude of the damage due to the one in north-west London is," said BBC meteorologist Susan Powell.
Insurance cost
She said the tornado formed due to a lot of energy in the air across the UK, producing widespread heavy thunderstorms with gusty winds.She said the tornado formed due to a lot of energy in the air across the UK, producing widespread heavy thunderstorms with gusty winds.
"However, in the case of the shower in London, the massive up and down draughts came into phase, spiralling and forming a tornado," she said."However, in the case of the shower in London, the massive up and down draughts came into phase, spiralling and forming a tornado," she said.
Local resident Daniel Bidgood: "I was in my living room and I heard a big crack of lightning and thunder, then as I went to the window I heard a sound which was like standing behind a jetliner. The Association of British Insurers said initial estimates suggested damage would be in the millions of pounds rather than tens of millions as seen in Birmingham tornado in 2005.
"I could see a huge cloud rolling up the street, making this tremendous sound. The last tornado which caused significant damage in London was in December 1954, in west London, in which six people were hurt and the roof of Gunnersbury London Underground station was ripped off.
"I went to try to take a picture of it but a shower of debris smashed all the windows of my house." Brent Council has set up a phone line if you have been affected by the tornado which is 020 8937 5255.
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London Ambulance Service said a man, thought to be in his 50s, was treated for a head injury and is expected to be released from hospital later on Thursday. Five others were treated for shock and minor injuries at the scene.
Insurance cost
Dave Bonner, of the London Fire Brigade, said about 50 fire fighters have searched over 100 properties and found several people injured.
Residents will not be allowed to return to their homes until the area is deemed safe.
Brent Council has set up a respite centre at the nearby Legion Hall on Albert Road for residents who have been made temporarily homeless.
"The council has sent officers, including tree and building experts, and contractors, to help with removing fallen trees and damaged properties," said a council statement.
Insurance experts said it was too early to estimate the cost of the damage, but the 2005 Birmingham tornado ran into tens of millions of pounds.
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