This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/london/6217514.stm

The article has changed 22 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 7 Version 8
Six hurt as tornado hits street Six hurt as tornado hits London
(40 minutes later)
Six people were injured and about 100 houses were damaged when a tornado swept through several London streets leaving a trail of destruction. Six people were injured and up to 150 houses were damaged when a tornado swept through several London streets leaving a trail of destruction.
Rooftops were ripped off and cars were badly damaged as the freak weather hit Kensal Rise in north-west London. Rooftops were ripped off and cars were badly damaged as the freak weather hit the Kensal Rise area.
One man suffered a serious head injury and five people were treated at the scene for minor injuries and shock.One man suffered a serious head injury and five people were treated at the scene for minor injuries and shock.
Eleven fire crews were called to Chamberlayne Road, which has been cordoned off because of the debris. Fire services have sealed six roads in a zone covering a quarter of a square mile and searched 100 properties.
Fire crews were called at about 1100 BST on Thursday to Chamberlayne Road and surrounding streets, amid reports of collapsed scaffolding and damage to buildings.
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.
Colin Brewer, who lives in nearby Trevelyan Gardens, 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.
"I then saw clumps of all sorts of things flying into air."I then saw clumps of all sorts of things flying into air.
"It went from exciting to terrifying.""It went from exciting to terrifying."
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.
Emergency services were called at about 1100 GMT to reports of collapsed scaffolding and damage to buildings.
Helicopter scrambledHelicopter scrambled
Ten ambulances and two fast response cars were sent to the scene and the London ambulance helicopter was scrambled. Seven London Ambulance Service (LAS) vehicles were sent to the scene.
London Ambulance Service said a man, thought to be in his 50s, was treated for a head injury and five others were treated for shock and minor injuries at the scene. LAS said a man, thought to be in his 50s, was treated for a head injury and five others were treated for shock and minor injuries at the scene.
TORNADOES: ANIMATED GUIDE See how they formTORNADOES: ANIMATED GUIDE See how they form
London Fire Brigade said up to 50 firefighters were at the scene and had cordoned off the area. Dave Bonner, of the London Fire Brigade, said about 50 fire fighters have searched over 100 properties and found several people injured.
Transport for London said a number 52 bus was caught up in the tornado. Residents will not be allowed to return to their homes until the area is deemed safe.
A spokesperson said: "The windscreen of the bus was damaged. No-one was hurt and the bus has now gone back to the garage."
Brent Council has set up a respite centre at the nearby Church of the Transfiguration for residents who have been made temporarily homeless.Brent Council has set up a respite centre at the nearby Church of the Transfiguration 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."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.
Transport for London said a number 52 bus was caught up in the tornado.
A spokesperson said: "The windscreen of the bus was damaged. No-one was hurt and the bus has now gone back to the garage."


Did you witness the mini tornado? Have you been affected? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.Did you witness the mini tornado? Have you been affected? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.
Send your pictures and video to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 07725 100 100 Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and videoSend your pictures and video to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 07725 100 100 Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video
Name
Name