By Mark McLaughlin
Edinburgh Evening News
May 29, 2008
AN elderly couple had a lucky escape when a suspected gas explosion ripped through their home.
The front and back walls of the bungalow were blown out in the blast in Uphall, West Lothian at around 7.40am today.
An investigation has been launched by the Health and Safety Executive, police and gas suppliers into the cause.
The damage is so extensive the house is expected to have to be demolished.
Around 30 surrounding residents of the close-knit community, many of them elderly, were taken to an emergency rest centre set up at the nearby Uphall Community Education Centre until the street was secured.
Neighbours identified the elderly couple as Frank and Molly Hastie. They have been taken to St John's Hospital.
Mrs Hastie was taken out of the building by ambulance crews suffering what has been described as "minor burns" while Mr Hastie was said to be conscious.
Neighbour John McGregor, 71, said he felt his entire house shake when the explosion happened.
He said: "They are a devoted old couple. Around here they were known as 'Derby and Joan' because they were always seen out walking hand-in-hand together."
The cause of the blast is being investigated.
A spokesman for Scotland Gas Networks said the explosion did not appear to have been caused by a leak in the mains but nothing "was being ruled out".
Co-ordinating officer Inspector Drew Mutter of Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue, said: "The lady's injuries are currently being assessed. She was seen by a doctor inside the ambulance who assessed her injuries as minor burns but these will be looked at further by the hospital.
"We have gas personnel, West Lothian Council staff looking at the premises in relation to building control and someone from the Health and Safety Executive who will be looking at the building from a safe vantage point.
"There is no danger of any further gas explosions but the building itself may be posing a danger."
Two of the local councillors were quickly on the scene including Uphall Labour Councillor Graeme Morrice who grew up on the street.
His mother May Morrice, 75, was one of the residents evacuated this morning.
He said: "My mother heard the explosion at around 7.45am this morning. We've had information from West Lothian Council's emergency planning people and our role as a council is to support the emergency services."
Scotland Gas Networks were informed of a gas emergency shortly after the incident happened and rushed to the scene.
Spokesman Denis Kirby said: "Our engineers conducted tests around the house and in the surrounding area to make sure everything was safe. Until a full investigation is done we won't know what the cause is. We're not ruling anything out. It's a relief that no one was seriously injured ."
A spokesman for West Lothian Council said: "People living in Loaninghill Park have been evacuated from their homes following this morning's incident.
"Around 30 people, most of them elderly, are being looked after at Uphall Community Centre, where we have opened an emergency rest centre."
"The rest centre is being operated by community education, social policy and nursing staff and the WRVS.
"Council building control staff are on site at Loaninghill Park to assess the situation. It is anticipated that the property will have to be demolished."
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