Homes demolished after explosion

Angela Murphy 1581 - 1581 • Published 22 Apr 2009 11:30

A BLOCK of houses in Renfrew were razed to the ground after a shocking explosion which left three families homeless.

Ian and Emily Reid suffered horrific injuries after the blast ripped through their home in the plush Kirklands estate.

Only house number seven of the four-year-old terrace block is still standing with a decision still to be made on whether it should come down or not.

The homeowner said: 'We are in talks with insurance people just now.

'We are okay but are really shaken up.'

Emergency services were called to the scene at 7.35pm on Friday and neighbours witnessed a scene of total destruction.

Richard Mack, 21, said: 'I heard a bang and went outside - the whole front of the house was on top of the man"s car.

'The couple were really badly hurt, and paramedics arrived quickly to help them.'

The impact of the explosion completely destroyed the couple"s home at number 3, with all their belongings visible from the street.

Mr Reid, 66 and his wife, 61, were rushed to the Southern General Hospital in Glasgow with burns all over their bodies.

A Reigart construction worker said the couple were lucky to escape the blast.

He said: 'It"s amazing that anyone survived this - we"ve just demolished three of the four houses because everything had to go.

'Family members managed to collect some belongings but only one out of the block has been left'.

A source claims the explosion happened when the cooker, which had been leaking gas, was ignited.

One of the families affected by the incident checked into the town"s Normandy Hotel on Saturday and left on Tuesday morning.

The other residents are thought to be staying with family and friends.

Mr and Mrs Reid are now being treated in the burns unit at the Royal Infirmary Hospital in Glasgow.

Chief Inspector for Renfrew, Kevin Quinn said: 'The investigation is ongoing with our partner agency the Health and Safety Executive to establish the cause of the explosion and the factors leading to it.'

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This article appeared in The Gazette 22 Apr 09

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