Two houses were badly damaged and a third also affected after a fire in Thamesmead today (June 23).

The fire, which was first reported at around 10.30am, has now been put out but some emergency services remain at the scene.

London Fire Brigade confirmed late this afternoon that three floors of one house were destroyed in the fire, the ground floor of a neighbouring house was also destroyed and two others damaged, a third house was also partly damaged.

As it happened: 58 firefighters battle Thamesmead house fire

News Shopper:

58 firefighters tackled the blaze in total and many were still hard at work as late as 3pm.

The fire service also confirmed that at least two people were injured in the incident, with one man treated at the scene by paramedics, with a man and a woman later checking into hospital.

12 people evacuated the terrace of houses before the fire brigade arrived and witness Amy Hannah said she was told by firefighters everyone had escaped the blaze.

While the fire is still under investigation and an official cause has not yet been announced, many described a loud explosion before the fire, which is understood to have been from an exploding gas bottle.

It has been suggested that the fire may have started from an outdoor barbeque.

A statement from London Fire Brigade read: “Eight fire engines and 58 firefighters and officers were called to a fire at a row of terraced houses in Marshall Path, Thamesmead.

“The ground, first and second floors of one house were destroyed in the fire. The ground floor of the adjacent house was also destroyed in the blaze. Half of the first floor and part of the second floor were damaged by fire. A small part of another neighbouring house was damaged by fire.

“Twelve people left the properties before the arrival of the Brigade and a local youth club opened to look after them. One man was treated at the scene by London Ambulance Service. One man and one woman presented themselves to hospital.

“Three gas cylinders were involved in the fire. They were cooled and removed as some cylinders can explode when exposed to heat.

“The Brigade was called at 10.33am and the fire was under control at 3.32pm. Fire crews from Plumstead, Erith, Bexley, and surrounding fire stations attended the scene.

“The cause of the fire is under investigation.”

You can look back at our live blog for all the updates as they happened.