Trapped woman lifted from flat above after explosion in Croydon laundrette set building ablaze

A woman has been lifted from a flat above a burning laundrette after it “exploded”.

Firefighters in Croydon rescued the terrified occupant via a ladder, after emergency services had been called from 12:58am.

Videos taken by locals show the fire raging in full force as fire engines surround the scene and residents rushing away from the scene.

One onlooker tweeted: “Massive #fire over road in #croydon …girl pulled from building… people screaming… very scary… hope nobody was hurt!”

Another tweet claims people were throwing stones in a bid to wake up residents living by the burning building.

Roads were closed by police overnight.

Croydon Metropolitan Police tweeted: “Police on scene with@LondonFire & @Ldn_Ambulance following report at 0058hrs of fire/ explosion at residential block in High St, junction West St #Croydon.

“Road closures in place. Await news re any injuries & updates will be issued in due course.”

London Fire Brigade said: “Firefighters tackled a severe blaze in a launderette with flats above on Croydon High Street.

“Firefighters rescued one woman at the rear via a ladder pitched against the first floor flat roof. She was treated at the scene by London Ambulance Service crews.

“A further two adults and one child left the property before firefighters arrived.

“The fire destroyed the ground floor shop. The fire also damaged parts of the first and second floor.”

Fire crews managed to bring the blaze under control by 2.35am.

(Main Image: Tom Matthews)