Centre of Southall closed down

Got home just before 8pm to find the centre of Southall completely closed down. The Broadway was cordoned off — no traffic allowed through, and all of the shops, normally open till quite late, were shuttered and closed. Including Somerfield, which is normally open until 10pm. Very strange feeling walking home through deserted streets that early in the evening.

Got in and told Chris, and we looked on Google News to see if we could find out what was happening. And found a news item on BBC London which said that, just before 9am, there was an explosion (probably from a gas leak which was being investigated and worked on) which, apparently, pretty well demolished a restaurant on the Broadway. Bit of a shock that — I walked along the Broadway at 8.30 this morning, on my way to catch a bus to the station! Got a train about 8.45, and I don't remember hearing an explosion, so it must have been between 8.45 and 9am. Apparently there's a damaged gas main, which is why everything's still cordoned off.

We were expecting delivery of a new mattress tomorrow morning, but that might now be doubtful if the place is still closed to traffic, since we live on a one-way street which cars can only get into from the Broadway. Sigh...!