Imagine the scene on a quiet afternoon in Richmond, south London.

What was once a peaceful street suddenly turned chaotic when two houses collapsed out of nowhere.

Emergency services rushed to Lower Mortlake Road in response to the unexpected disaster.

It’s believed that these homes, which were in the midst of renovation, crumbled into rubble on Tuesday afternoon.

The Incident

Neighbors reported that the houses, which were undergoing basement refurbishments, suddenly gave way just before 3 PM.

They heard a loud bang followed by a lot of smoke.

When they looked outside, they were met with a scene of debris—bricks, wood, and other construction materials scattered across the street.

Investigation Underway

Initial thoughts point to structural damage as the cause of the collapse.

However, authorities are also investigating the possibility of a gas leak.

Richmond, known for its exclusivity and home to celebrities like Sir David Attenborough, was rocked by this event.

Fortunately, there were no reported injuries.

Photos of the scene show the houses, numbered 46 and 47 Lower Mortlake Road, nearly obliterated, with only the side walls remaining.

This is an ongoing situation, and updates will follow as more information becomes available.