MAN INJURED IN EXPLOSION
Properties evacuated as fire crews race to scene
A 52-year-old man remains in hospital following a suspected gas explosion in the Village on Monday morning.
Emergency services rushed to Main Street around 11.20am as people were evacuated from surrounding buildings as a precaution and the street was closed.
The 52-year-old is being treated in Glasgow Royal Infirmary for injuries sustained in the incident.
An eyewitness told the News: “Roofs have been completely blown off the flats across from the Co-op.
“Windows are smashed in, and there’s even window frames lying in the street. The blast must have had one hell of a force in the flat. The walls are buckled outwards.”
South Lanarkshire Council confirmed on Tuesday morning that all road closures relating to the incident had been lifted.
Police originally said two people had been injured, but confirmed in a later statement that only one 52-yearold man had been hurt.
A spokesperson said there was “no suggestion of criminality”.
Emergency services rushed to East Kilbride Main Street following reports of a gas explosion on Monday morning.
Pictures and videos circulating online show a significant number of emergency vehicles on the scene, with the normally busy street closed to the public.
Surrounding buildings were also evacuated. An eyewitness told the News: “There was a gas explosion about 11.25 this morning.
“Roofs have been completely blown off the flats across from the Co-op.
“Windows are smashed in, and there’s even window frames lying in the street.
“The police have cordoned off the area, there’s a dozen fire engines and there’s an ambulance or two out there as well.
“The flats have been evacuated and apparently there is a man who is badly suffering from burns and from shock. It looks really quite bad. Hopefully no one is hurt.”
Police Scotland confirmed that a 52-year-old male had been injured in the incident.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Emergency services are currently dealing with an incident in Main Street, East Kilbride.
“At around 11.25am, police received a report of an explosion.
“Main Street is closed and a number of people have been evacuated as a precaution from the surrounding buildings. A 52-year-old man injured in the explosion remains in Glasgow Royal Infirmary. It appears to be a gas explosion with no suggestion of criminality.”
Jonathan Watt, a resident who lives in the opposite building, said: “I was sleeping with it being a bank holiday Monday off and I heard it, and the building actually shook.
“When you look at it, it must be causing damage to about 13 different flats you would think.”
A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “We were alerted to reports of a building on fire at Main Street, East Kilbride.
“Operations Control immediately mobilised six appliances and additional specialist rescue equipment to the three-storey tenement block. On arrival firefighters found the scene of a suspected gas explosion at a third floor flat.
“Crews remain in attendance as they work to make the building safe and road closures are in place.”