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London storm disruption: Houses collapse in 'gas explosion' London storm disruption: Houses collapse in 'gas explosion'
(about 1 hour later)
Three houses have collapsed and two others damaged in a suspected gas explosion after a tree fell on a house in west London during high winds.Three houses have collapsed and two others damaged in a suspected gas explosion after a tree fell on a house in west London during high winds.
The explosion happened after the tree collapsed in Hounslow at about 07:35 GMT. Surrounding homes were evacuated.The explosion happened after the tree collapsed in Hounslow at about 07:35 GMT. Surrounding homes were evacuated.
Three people managed to escape the building, and a woman was taken to hospital with burns. Search and rescue teams remain at the scene.Three people managed to escape the building, and a woman was taken to hospital with burns. Search and rescue teams remain at the scene.
In Westminster, a crane collapsed on to the Cabinet Office in high winds. Elsewhere, one man from Harrow died after a tree fell on his car.
The man, who was in his early 50s, was hit in Lower High Street, Watford, Hertfordshire Police said.
The cause of the explosion in Hounslow is being investigated by London Fire Brigade.The cause of the explosion in Hounslow is being investigated by London Fire Brigade.
Twelve people were also moved from the surrounding properties. A Hounslow council spokesman said: "We are handling the needs of those affected by the gas explosion and have now evacuated people from the properties.
Crane collapse "We are transporting them to the rest centre that we have set up."
Rail services across London have also been disrupted because of the storm passing across parts of England and Wales.Rail services across London have also been disrupted because of the storm passing across parts of England and Wales.
In central London, the Cabinet Office was evacuated after the crane fell on to the building at about 06:50 GMT. No injuries have been reported. In central London, the Cabinet Office was evacuated after a crane fell on to the Westminster building at about 06:50 GMT. No injuries have been reported.
London Fire Brigade said that between 06:00 and 09:00 GMT it received more the 400 storm-related calls.London Fire Brigade said that between 06:00 and 09:00 GMT it received more the 400 storm-related calls.
There has been widespread disruption to London Underground services, with delays and part suspensions on the majority of the lines.There has been widespread disruption to London Underground services, with delays and part suspensions on the majority of the lines.
Rail services have also been disrupted and Network Rail said more than 100 trees had been discovered on the rail network across the south east.Rail services have also been disrupted and Network Rail said more than 100 trees had been discovered on the rail network across the south east.
Chiltern trains into London have been suspended until at least 09:45 GMT because of fallen trees.Chiltern trains into London have been suspended until at least 09:45 GMT because of fallen trees.
All of the Royal Parks in London, including Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, have also been closed because of falling debris. All of the Royal Parks in London, including Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, were closed for most of the morning because of falling debris.
The Mayor of London has chaired a meeting of the capital's emergency resilience committee to assess the impact of the storm. The Met Police, London Ambulance Service and the Fire Brigade all attended the 30 minute briefing.The Mayor of London has chaired a meeting of the capital's emergency resilience committee to assess the impact of the storm. The Met Police, London Ambulance Service and the Fire Brigade all attended the 30 minute briefing.
Boris Johnson said: "London's transport staff have coped with great speed and professionalism in bringing tube and bus routes back into use - even though we have seen several lines disrupted by falling trees."Boris Johnson said: "London's transport staff have coped with great speed and professionalism in bringing tube and bus routes back into use - even though we have seen several lines disrupted by falling trees."
A man was taken to hospital after a tree fell on to a van in Gunnersbury Avenue, west London Ambulance Service (LAS) said. A man was taken to hospital after a tree fell on to a van in Gunnersbury Avenue, west London, the London Ambulance Service (LAS) said.
A 26-year-old man was also hit by a falling tree near Clapton Common, east London, and was taken to hospital suffering from head and neck pain.A 26-year-old man was also hit by a falling tree near Clapton Common, east London, and was taken to hospital suffering from head and neck pain.
Peter McKenna, Deputy Director of Operations of LAS, said: "It is proving to be a busy morning for us for storm-related injuries.Peter McKenna, Deputy Director of Operations of LAS, said: "It is proving to be a busy morning for us for storm-related injuries.
"We would encourage anyone to consider if their journey is entirely necessary.""We would encourage anyone to consider if their journey is entirely necessary."
Gusts of up to 70mph (112km/h) have been recorded at Heathrow Airport, where up to 130 flights have been cancelled.Gusts of up to 70mph (112km/h) have been recorded at Heathrow Airport, where up to 130 flights have been cancelled.
British Airways said it was complying with a request from Heathrow to reduce its flying schedule at the west London airport, but flights to and from London Gatwick and London City airports would operate as normal.British Airways said it was complying with a request from Heathrow to reduce its flying schedule at the west London airport, but flights to and from London Gatwick and London City airports would operate as normal.