A gravedigger has been commended by his bosses for his heroic efforts in saving a young woman in the fatal Stanley Road explosion.
As the Observer revealed at the time, Andrew Haynes spotted Charlotte Anderson's hand poking out of the rubble and helped to dig out the 17-year-old.
The cause of the May 7 incident in South Harrow - which killed Emmad Qureshi, 26, and destroyed three homes - is still under investigation by the Metropolitan Police.
Mr Haynes, who works at Harrow Weald Cemetery in Clamp Hill, Stanmore, was officially praised for his actions by Harrow Council's chief executive, Michael Lockwood, at a presentation at the authority's Forward Drive depot in Forward Drive, Wealdstone.
He was handed a certificate that congratulated him for 'his outstanding efforts in helping with the rescue operation following the Stanley Road explosion'.
Mr Haynes told the Observer afterwards: "It was nice. It's good to be recognised by your peers.
"I still haven't spoken to Charlotte. Obviously, I'm concerned to see see how she is now. She's on the mend, though, I've been told.
"I'm still in the dark about the whole incident, not knowing what happened."
Mr Lockwood said: "We cannot commend Andrew enough for his courage and heroism, saving the life of a young girl.
"The explosion was a great tragedy for Harrow and a life was regrettably lost. A number of people did show exceptional acts of bravery and they all deserve praise and acknowledgement."
