Residents in shock as tornado hits homes

RESIDENTS of a north west London street were in shock yesterday after their homes were hit by a tornado caused by freak weather conditions.

Chamberlayne Road in Kensal Rise was battered by the tornado at 11am.

Fire crews and 25 fire engines were sent to the scene to find debris strewn across the road, cars damaged and roof tiles scattered after literally being ripped off by powerful winds.

Video footage showed the side of one house had been stripped away, with the bricks partially coering a car parked outside.

Dave Bonner, from the London Fire Service said more than 100 might have been affected by what Scotland Yard termed a “mini tornado.” Schoolchildren and families were standing around on nearby street corners, surveying the damage.

Mr Bonner said only six people so far were known to have minor injuries but many on the streets said it could have been far worse.

The fire service said hundreds of families might have been affected and were providing shelter in two church halls nearby for the people evacuated.