A 44-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a 46-year-old woman was found fatally stabbed inside a house following a gas explosion in Stoke Newington, north-east London, the Metropolitan Police said.

Six fire engines and 40 firefighters were called to the scene on Dumont Road in Stoke Newington shortly before 5am on Tuesday.

Metropolitan Police and London Fire Brigade (LFB) are investigating the cause but the force has confirmed it is now being treated as a murder investigation.

A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a 46-year-old woman was found fatally stabbed inside a house following a gas explosion in north-east London.

Police had been called to reports of an explosion at the address in Dumont Road, Stoke Newington, at just before 5am on Tuesday.

A police spokesperson 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.

“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.”

LFB station commander Darren McTernan added: "Motorists and pedestrians are advised to avoid the area for most of this morning while investigations into the cause of this incident are carried out."

"There are road closures in place on Stoke Newington Church Street from the junction of the A10 to Defoe Road. Residents should also note that Kersley Road is completely shut at this time."

Crews from Stoke Newington, Islington, Homerton and Holloway fire stations were called to the scene.