LONDON, MAR 04 (DNA)  – COPS have scrambled to reports of an explosion in Essex as residents are evacuated and roads are shut down.

It is not being treated as a terror-related incident but the Met have said the cause of the explosion is not known.

The London Fire Brigade and London Ambulance Service have also been called out to Harold Hill in Greater London this afternoon.

A Met Police statement said: “We await an update as to whether anyone is injured.

“At this early stage officers are unable to confirm the cause of the explosion but enquires are underway.

“Residents are in the process of being evacuated from the building. The Local Authority has been informed.