Early morning fire could’ve been much worse
Residents at a block of flats in East Kilbride had a lucky escape last week after an early morning blaze.
Firefighters rushed to Whitehills Place in The Murray at approximately 3am last Thursday (September 10) after reports of a fire there.
And a video sent to the News shows the moment large flames and thick black smoke engulf the side of the building.
It is not known what caused the fire to start, but it is thought the fuel for it was a large pile of rubbish dumped at the side of the building.
Eyewitness Alan told us:“I was woken by bangs, I initially thought they were fireworks as it wouldn’t be the first time someone was letting them off at anti-social hours.
“It took a minute or two to realise that the light wasn’t fading. I looked out the window, saw the fire and dialled 999 - by which time others had reported it. I’d barely put the phone down and I saw the blue lights of the fire engine.
“There had been a pile of old cardboard boxes dumped on the ground there, next to the bins.
“There was a second flame above the main blaze – that’s from the gas pipe that is on that wall which had ruptured, so it could have been a lot worse.”
Inspectors confirmed the fire caused damage to the side of the building and a gas service pipe.
As a precaution, gas distribution company SGN temporarily evacuated neighbouring properties to complete safety checks and carry out repairs.
A spokesman for SGN said:“We attended the property in Whitehills Place to support the emergency services following a fire.
“Our engineers made safe, completed repairs, restored gas supplies and allowed residents to return to their properties the same afternoon.”
A spokeswoman for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service was unable to confirm the cause of the blaze at this time.
She said:“We were alerted at 2.53am on Thursday, September 10 to reports of a fire at Whitehills Place, East Kilbride.
“Operations Control mobilised one appliance to the scene where firefighters extinguished the fire within refuse. Crews left after ensuring the area was made safe.”