Eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters were called to a fire and suspected gas explosion at a house today.

A three-storey terraced house on Livingstone Road in Walthamstow was destroyed by the fire and most of the neighbouring property was also damaged.

Two men left the property before the Brigade arrived and were taken to hospital by London Ambulance crews.

The Brigade's 999 Control Officers took 18 calls to the fire.

The Brigade was called at 1212 and the fire was under control by 1353.

Fire crews from Walthamstow, Leyton, Leytonstone, Stratford and surrounding fire stations attended.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.