A mum has paid tribute to her "incredible" daughter who died as she slams a gas company after an explosion tore through her house.
Sahara Salman, four, was killed as three others were injured in a blast that sent debris flying through the air in Thornton Heath, South London on Monday morning. The Mirror reports that mum Sana Ahmad, 28, says her "world has been torn apart" as she paid tribute to her "incredible little girl".
Sahara, who was going to turn five next month, was reported missing in the aftermath of the explosion. The London Ambulance Service later confirmed she had passed away that afternoon.
The grieving mum told the Evening Standard: "She died a month before her 5th birthday and we had so many plans in place. She was starting school in September - her uniform was bought, it was in the house and all of this could have been prevented if people weren't being lazy and had done their job properly. That's the fact of the matter."
She added: "The world is so cruel. We have lost our daughter who is our pride and our joy.
"This world didn't deserve somebody who was so special. It's our loss.
"She was the most amazing thing to ever walk this planet."
Ms Ahmad said she was on the phone with her mum when the explosion crumbled their home. She says when she tried to grab her children, Sahara's room had already collapsed.
Ms Ahmad described the explosion as "like missiles". She says her dad and uncle immediately ran to the property and broke down the door to get the family out.
Ms Ahmad has also hit out at Southern Gas Networks (SGN) after claiming she called the gas supplier about a suspected gas leak on July 30. She also said that SGN sent someone to investigate the leak on July 31 and was told there were no major issues.
She said that she was told another person would come out to inspect the property but they never showed up.
Ms Ahmad said: "The saddest thing is that we tried to prevent this from happening. The gas people should have ensured the safety of not only us but every single person who lives in that area.
"Now we're all suffering - the whole community. And now we all have to live with the trauma of a little girl dying."
On Monday, a spokesperson for SGN said: "Our deepest sympathies are with the family of the child who has tragically died as well as those injured. We'd like to reassure everyone our engineers are working closely with the emergency services.
"Given the ongoing police investigation, it is inappropriate to comment any further at this stage."
Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters were called to a fire on Galpin's Road on Monday morning at about 7am. Despite the devastation, both parents of the little girl as well as two of her siblings were not seriously injured in the explosion.
Family friend Thoheed Maricar, 52, said the tragic young girl was one of four children - including an 11-year-old boy who was taken to hospital and another two kids who were relatively unharmed from the blast.
Mr Maricar said: "The girl is a beautiful, cute four-year-old. She was a happy girl.
"She played around a lot and was very active. I think she had started nursery but I don't know that for sure."
Bunches of flowers and around 10 teddy bears were laid at the scene and tributes were scrawled in chalk across a nearby pavement in dedication to the little girl. White teddy bears with red ribbons, a pink unicorn, a yellow duck, and a princess doll have also been piled on the side of the road, while hearts, rainbows and other messages of love are also lining the street.
Approximately 200 residents have been evacuated since the explosion and a 50-metre cordon was erected and then expanded by some 200 metres on Tuesday as there is still a strong smell of gas, a council official said.
Awais Zahir, 26, and his uncle ran out of their home after hearing a bang. They told the Mirror that a mum who lived inside the destroyed property had called the council on Saturday complaining about the smell of gas.
Mr Zahir said: "She told the council there was a strong smell of gas. There's been construction so we assumed that is where it was. You never think this could happen."
Cllr Ross Garrod, leader of Merton Council, yesterday said that the smell is still present at the scene and could take some days to clear the area. Speaking outside the council offices this afternoon, he said: "This morning the Health and Safety Executive attended Galpins Road to begin investigations. SGN [gas company] also remained on site.
"The cordon was extended 200 meters as there was still a strong smell of gas and we understand the leak may take some days to stop. This was done to ensure the safety of residents.
"As a result, there have been an additional 50 residents' homes evacuated. So far there have been around 200 residents' homes evacuated since the incident began.
"Our top priority is the safety of those residents and our support is in full operation."
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