One dead and three injured after explosion at block of flats
One man has died and at least three more people have been injured after an explosion ripped through a block of flats.
The explosion happened at about 6pm on Sunday at the flats in Alloa in Clackmannanshire, Scotland.
One man, who was inside the building at the time, was killed in the explosion and pronounced dead at the scene.
Three others were taken to hospital with minor injuries.
Nearby Alloa Town Hall has been opened up as a respite centre for people who lived in the other flats inside the building.
Shocking photos show the block of flats missing a huge chunk of its roof as smoke poured out of the massive hole.
The fire service sent several crews to the scene, including a heavy rescue unit and urban search and rescue teams.
Brian Alexander, 45, a care worker who lives on the street told the Scottish Sun: ‘I was at home watching the television and then there was an almighty bang.
‘I knew right away it was something serious and not fireworks.
‘When I went to have a look the house down the street was missing the roof and part of the front was hanging off.
‘It is quite scary. We cannot get into our homes just now.’
Police Scotland declared a major incident after the explosion, with several roads closed around the scene at Kellie Place.
The town hall was opened up for residents who had been told to leave their homes following the explosion.
Those closures have since been lifted, but there may be future gas and electrical work carried out on the building.
Sergeant Neill Drummond said: ‘We are still working to establish the full circumstances of what happened at this property, however, we can confirm that one male has passed away.
‘Our enquiries to confirm his identity and provide his next of kin with all the necessary support they may require are ongoing.
‘We are grateful to the local community for their continued co-operation and support of our investigation, and we’ll provide more information in due course.’
Engineers from gas distribution network Scottish Gas Networks (SGN) were among those at the scene.
An SGN spokesperson said on Monday: ‘Our sympathies are with all those affected following the explosion at Kellie Place in Alloa.
‘Our engineers have been on site since yesterday evening, as part of the emergency response, and are continuing to support the incident today while ensuring the area is safe.’
A council spokesperson said: ‘Council staff will continue to offer support to those affected if they are unable to return to their homes and continue to be on site today supporting the emergency services.
‘Our thoughts remain with everyone affected, especially the family of the resident who tragically lost their life.”
A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesman confirmed crews responded to multiple reports of an explosion and house fire on Kellie Place on Sunday, and immediately mobilised a number of resources to the scene’.
These included a specialist urban search and rescue team, a heavy rescue unit, one height appliance and four fire engines.
Emergency crews left the scene at around 10.15pm, a spokesman for the fire service said.
After the explosion, police and emergency services implemented a number of road closures to allow room for the multi-agency response.
A Scottish Ambulance Service spokesperson said: ‘We received a call at 18:04 to attend an incident on Kellie Place, Alloa.
‘We dispatched multiple resources to the scene including two ambulances, three special operations response teams (SORT), and one trauma team.
‘Three patients were transported to Forth Valley Royal Hospital.’
Keith Brown, MSP for the Clackmannanshire & Dunblane constituency, said: ‘My immediate thoughts are of sympathy with the family and friends of the man who has died, and to send best wishes for full and speedy recoveries to those injured.
‘As ever, in situations like this, many thanks are due to the emergency services for the way in which they have responded.
‘There will be understandable concerns, particularly amongst residents of neighbouring properties, about the cause of this explosion and the extent of the damage to other homes.
‘I know that the relevant authorities will be working hard to provide information, reassurance and assistance as quickly and efficiently as they can.’
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