Police have today launched a murder investigation after a woman was found stabbed to death inside a home in London following a gas explosion.
A 46-year-old female was found with knife wounds inside a house in Dumont Road, Stoke Newington, at around 5am.
Emergency crews, which included six fire engines and 40 firefighters, rushed to a road where the average cost of homes is £1.4 million following reports of a gas explosion.
But they made the grim discovery once inside the home, and despite paramedics’ attempts to save her life she was pronounced dead at the scene.
A 44-year-old man was arrested at the location on suspicion of murder. He was later taken to the hospital with slash wounds and is currently in stable condition. The injuries are not considered life-changing or life-threatening.
Additionally, two children, aged 9 and 7, were also taken to the hospital as a precaution. However, it is believed that they were not inside the property when the explosion occurred.
Today, worried neighbours told how they came outside in their pyjamas after they heard a bang ‘like somebody had dropped a massive glass cabinet from a crane’.
Roads have been sealed off in the area while police continue to make enquiries. There are also additional officers on patrol in the local area.
An aerial view of Dumont Road in Stoke Newington where six fire engines and 40 firefighters were called to a suspected gas explosion
Emergency crews outside the terraced home where the front window has been smashed
Motorists and pedestrians have been warned to avoid the area for most of this morning while Metropolitan Police and London Fire Brigade (LFB) investigates the cause
Pictures taken by MailOnline at the scene appear to show the downstairs windows have been smashed.
One neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: ‘I looked out and saw panes of glass on the floor. You could tell it wasn’t a car window.
‘Eventually I noticed the beam on the bay window was missing and could see some mild smoke coming out of the back.
‘People starting arriving and saying to phone the police. There was a guy rushing around, very distraught. He went round the back.’
The house, a terrace on the corner of Dumont Road, was surrounded by police, firefighters and gas workers later in the morning.
The front bay window was completely blown out, with debris including plants, wooden shutters and glass scattered across the street.
A 76-year-old neighbour said: ‘I was asleep upstairs and heard a sudden bang then I saw from the curtain all the glass all on the floor.
‘I was worried. Everybody on the street came out in their pyjamas.’
Another neighbour said: ‘I’m pretty sure it was two bangs I heard. There was lots of glass shattering.
Police forensics were seen combing the area for evidence today following the fatal stabbing
Emergency crews had initially raced to the area to reports of a gas explosion before they made the grim discovery inside the property
‘I knew it wasn’t a car crashing because it sounded like lots of glasses had been smashed on the floor.’
A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: ‘We were called today at 4.46am to reports of an incident in Dumont Road, Stoke Newington, N16.
‘We sent resources to the scene including ambulance crews, a paramedic in a response car, an advanced paramedic practitioner, members of our hazardous area response team (HART) and London’s air ambulance.
‘Sadly, despite our best efforts, a woman was pronounced dead at the scene. A man was taken to a London major trauma centre. Two children were taken to hospital for a precautionary assessment.’
Motorists and pedestrians had been warned to avoid the area for most of this morning.
LFB station commander Darren McTernan said: ‘Motorists and pedestrians are advised to avoid the area for most of this morning while investigations into the cause of this incident are carried out.
‘There are road closures in place on Stoke Newington Church Street from the junction of the A10 to Defoe Road. Residents should also note that Kersley Road is completely shut at this time.’
Crews from Stoke Newington, Islington, Homerton and Holloway fire stations were called to the scene.
