The leader of Merton Council has hit out at insurance companies for not supporting displaced residents following a deadly explosion in Thornton Heath.

The blast which occurred on Galpins Road in Mitcham at around 7am on Monday morning, killed a four year old girl and injured two others.

Over 200 residents have been evacuated from their homes and road closures will remain in place until engineers ascertain the area is safe.

Residents are being supported at New Horizon Community Centre on South Lodge Avenue and volunteers at Ascension Church on Sherwood Park Road are providing emergency clothes and shoes for anyone who has been evacuated.

However, Cllr Ross Garrod has said that while emergency services and the community have stepped up to the plate, some insurance companies have let down Merton residents.