‘Houses are missing’after major blast
TWO adults and two children have been taken to hospital after an explosion at a house in Ayr that caused severe damage, with the blast being heard for miles around.
Residents have been evacuated from part of the Kincaidston area following the incident on Monday evening.
Social media users said they heard the explosion from miles away, while pictures shared online showed at least one house badly damaged with debris lying in the street.
Police Scotland said inquiries were continuing into the cause of the explosion and they will carry out a joint investigation with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS).
In a statement, the force said four houses had been affected by the explosion, with “a number of premises evacuated” and two rest centres set up to assist.
Emergency services were called to the scene on Gorse Park at around 7.10pm, police said, adding that local road closures were in place and the public were advised to avoid the area.
“Two adults and two children have been taken to Crosshouse Hospital in Kilmarnock,” the force said.
Local councillor Chris Cullen told BBC Good Morning Scotland that gas caused the explosion.
Describing the scene, he told the programme: “It is quite harrowing actually. Early yesterday evening there was a row of houses and now there is a hole. Two-and-a-half houses are missing. It is quite shocking how far the debris has fallen and the damage it has caused.”
He added: “It has been a gas explosion, the exact details of how that happened aren’t released yet.”
Ian McMeekin, SFRS Area Commander, said: “Our thoughts are with everyone who has been affected by this incident.
“This has been an extremely complex and challenging incident which significantly damaged multiple properties in the area and resulted in the evacuation of other nearby homes. We will remain in attendance for some time as we work with our partners to ensure the area is safe.
“A joint investigation alongside Police Scotland will be carried out in due course to establish the full facts and circumstances.”
South Ayrshire Council said it is working with emergency services to determine who will be able to return to their house and who will not due to “ongoing building safety concerns”.
Gas distribution company SGN was helping emergency services.
A spokesman said: “Our engineers are currently assisting the emergency services to ensure the immediate vicinity is made safe in our role as the gas emergency service.”