Dozens of firefighters, search dogs and a drone team were called to the property in Gloucester Drive, Hackney, on Saturday afternoon.

Social media images show the entire back of the property missing, with masonry strewn on the ground, and firefighters assessing the devastation from next door.

Luckily, no one was found trapped under the rubble and there were no injuries reported.

A 31-year-old local man - who did not want to give his name - said: "All I heard was a loud sound and the building I live by shaking like there was an earthquake. It was very scary.

"When I looked outside the window, the entire building was collapsed."

He said emergency services arrived on the scene in about 10 to 15 minutes.

London Fire Brigade said about 60 firefighters, five fire engines and three rescue units were deployed and the situation was under control by 4.44pm.

Metropolitan Police officers also attended and the force said a number of properties were evacuated.