A woman has been found fatally stabbed following a gas explosion in Stoke Newington, police have said.
Annabel Rook, 46, was declared dead at the scene, with stab wounds, despite efforts from the paramedics.
Police have arrested a 44-year-old man on suspicion of murder after the body was discovered in a property on Dumont Road.
The alleged perpetrator has been taken to hospital to be treated for slash wounds.
Annabel Rook was declared dead at the scene
METROPOLITAN POLICE/GETTY
Two children, aged seven and nine, have also been taken to hospital.
They are not believed to have been in the property at the time of the explosion.
Metropolitan Police said: "A woman aged 46 was found inside the property with stab wounds. Despite the efforts of paramedics, she was sadly declared dead at the scene.
"A 44-year-old man was arrested at the address on suspicion of murder."
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Six fire engines and about 40 firefighters were called to the property on Dumont Road, Stoke Newington, in the early hours of this morning
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The statement continued: "He was taken to hospital with slash wounds where he currently remains. His condition is not life-changing or life-threatening.
"Two children aged nine and seven have also been taken to hospital as a precaution, but are not believed to have been inside the property at the time of the gas explosion."
Six fire engines and about 40 firefighters were called to the property in the early hours of this morning.
A corden remains in place, and police are still investigating.
A cordon remains in place, and police are still investigating
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Stoke Newington Church Street is closed from the junction of the A10 to Defoe Road, and Kersley Road is completely closed.
A resident on Dumont Road, who did not want to be named, said he heard a crash "like somebody dropped a massive glass cabinet from a crane".
He added: "I looked out and saw panes of glass on the floor. You could tell it wasn’t a car window. Eventually, I noticed the beam on the bay window was missing and could see some mild smoke coming out of the back.
"People started arriving and saying to phone the police. There was a guy rushing around, very distraught. He went round the back."
The explosion completely blew out the front bay window
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The explosion completely blew out the front bay window, and debris, including plants, wooden shutters, and glass, was seen scattered across the street.
A 76-year-old neighbour said: "I was asleep upstairs and heard a sudden bang, then I saw from the curtain all the glass all on the floor. I was worried. Everybody on the street came out in their pyjamas."
Another neighbour said: "I’m pretty sure it was two bangs I heard. There was lots of glass shattering. I knew it wasn’t a car crashing because it sounded like lots of glasses had been smashed on the floor."
Detective Chief Superintendent Brittany Clarke, who leads policing in the local area, said: "This is an extremely tragic incident and our thoughts are with the victim’s family at this very difficult time.
The force has urged anyone with information to phone 101
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She added: “Our officers arrested a man on suspicion of murder at the scene and will be conducting interviews as soon as possible, to establish the full circumstances that led to Annabel’s death. While enquiries continue, at this early stage we do believe this to be a domestic-related incident.
“We understand what happened will cause concern within the Hackney community and residents can expect to see an increased police presence in the area, along with a crime scene, as we carry out the investigation.
"We are working closely alongside our partners at Hackney Council to help support those residents locally who have been impacted by this.”
A London Ambulance Service spokesman said: "We were called today (Tuesday 17) at 4.46am to reports of an incident in Dumont Road, Stoke Newington, N16.
The Metropolitan Police said there will be additional patrols in the area while the investigation continues
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"We sent resources to the scene, including ambulance crews, a paramedic in a response car, an advanced paramedic practitioner, members of our hazardous area response team (HART) and London’s air ambulance.
"Sadly, despite our best efforts, a woman was pronounced dead at the scene. A man was taken to a London major trauma centre. Two children were taken to hospital for a precautionary assessment."
The Metropolitan Police said there will be additional patrols in the area while the investigation continues.
The force has urged anyone with information to phone 101 quoting CAD 926/17June or to remain anonymous, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online.
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