Residents from scene of south London’s fatal explosion still in hotels six months later

Several families evacuated from Galpin’s Road in Merton last year still living in temporary accommodation

A “hero” who risked his life to rescue children in the aftermath of a south London fatal explosion is among dozens of evacuated residents still living in a hotel six months later.

Delroy Simms, 63, has described the “torture” of not knowing when his family can return home half a year on from the blast which shattered the windows of their house and killed his neighbour, four-year-old Sahara Salman.

Their local MP, Siobhain McDonagh, has criticised the government for offering “very little help” to residents – after she previously highlighted how Sahara’s mother was left sleeping on the floor 10 weeks after the tragedy.