Mark McLaughlin
Edinburgh Evening News
June 4, 2008
AN elderly couple whose house was destroyed by a gas explosion are facing a struggle to rebuild their lives after all of their identification was destroyed in the blast.
The daughter of Uphall pensioners Frank, 87, and Molly Hastie, 86, said they were finding it difficult to withdraw money and arrange for replacement documents following the accident.
Mrs Hastie is still in hospital, and it is understood her injuries have also made it difficult for her to sign official forms, adding to their problems.
The couple, formerly of Loaninghall Park, have been left without a home after the explosion ripped through their property last Thursday.
Mr Hastie has been staying in the family home of his daughter Angela McConnell, at Park Road in Broxburn. Mrs McConnell called their difficulties "bureaucracy gone mad". She added: "They are trying to get replacement cards and take out money, but without identification it is very difficult.
"The insurance company is still investigating and have been fine with us so far. The family are in good spirits and very happy our parents are still alive. I think the shock of what has happened is just beginning to hit them now, with all of these problems, but they are holding together.
"We've been told by the hospital that mum will be in for another week, so hopefully we'll have her home early next week."
West Lothian Council issued an emergency building warrant for the demolition of the couple's home after the explosion.
The family have been able to rescue one picture from the rubble of Mr Hastie and his Belgian-born wife which was taken on their diamond wedding anniversary.
The couple are likely to be placed in emergency accommodation until a new house can be found, and discussions about a temporary home were expected to continue today.
Mrs McConnell said that the problem of identification was not helping the search for a temporary home, but insisted they were meeting officials this morning and hoped to get everything sorted out then.
A council spokesman confirmed they were in the process of finding emergency accommodation. He added: "We have been consultation with the couple and their family about emergency accommodation. One of the people involved is currently still in hospital, but we will be assessing their options once they have been released."
The Evening News told last week how Mrs Hastie had been making an early morning cup of tea when the kitchen exploded around her. An investigation into the blast is focusing on a gas escape from an appliance that was either faulty or accidentally left on.
Scotland Gas Networks, which initially investigated the blast, today confirmed that it has handed over all further investigations to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). A spokesman added: "Initial results would still indicate that the fault had nothing to do with our equipment."
A spokesman for the HSE said an investigation was under way to establish what had caused the explosion.
He said inquiries were still ongoing, but they were "nearing completion" and that a result was expected within the next few days.
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