A man was critically injured after an explosion levelled a vacant home in south London on Wednesday afternoon.
Emergency crews responded to a house on Base Line Road West shortly after 1 p.m., where firefighters found the structure engulfed in smoke and flames. The London Fire Department said the home was completely destroyed.
An adult man was taken to hospital with critical injuries, though officials have not confirmed whether he was inside or outside the residence when the explosion occurred.
Fire officials said the vacant property was inspected regularly, but its natural gas service was still active. Enbridge Gas crews attended the scene to shut off gas and other utilities as investigators worked to determine the cause of the explosion. Base Line Road West remained closed while emergency crews continued their investigation.