Police inquiries ongoing after man killed and three injured in flats blast

Investigations are continuing after an explosion ripped through flats leaving one man dead and three people injured.

Emergency services were called to the scene in Alloa, Clackmannanshire, at about 6pm on Sunday amid reports of an explosion at a property in Kellie Place.

One man, who was inside the building when it happened, was killed in the blast.

He was pronounced dead at the scene and has not been formally identified.

Three other people from the same building were taken to Forth Valley Royal Infirmary for treatment to minor injuries.

Part of the roof of the property was ripped off by the blast and a gaping hole has been left in the first floor of the building.

Police said the multi-agency response to the incident was stood down just before midnight but investigations are continuing.

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 inquiries 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.”

Clackmannanshire Council said a rest centre for those affected was set up at Alloa town hall while gas and electrical work was undertaken onsite, with those affected all managing to find shelter with friends and family overnight.

A 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.”

Published: 07/10/2024 by Radio NewsHub