Tornado Strikes West London

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Six injured as high winds blast the Harlesden area

A tornado has left at least six people injured and damaged buildings and cars in Harlesden. The freak weather hit without warning this morning at around 11.00. There were storms and high winds elsewhere in West London but the NW10 area was hardest hit.

One man had to be taken to hospital and the London Ambulance Service treated 5 other adults at the scene.

Eye witnesses reported seeing a 'dark swirl' in the sky which then descended to ground level causing bricks and roof tiles to be thrown into the air 'like in the Wizard of Oz.' One house had its roof and side wall ripped off. Ten fire engines and 55 fire fighters attended the scene.

The tornado has now passed.

Police are advising people to avoid this area due to the following road closures:
Tiverton Road
Okehampton Road
Hardinge Road
College Road
Clifford Gardens
Liddell Gardens
Chamberlayne Rd

December 7, 2006