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| OAPs injured in house explosion | OAPs injured in house explosion |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Two pensioners have made an "amazing escape" with only minor injuries after an explosion in their West Lothian home. | Two pensioners have made an "amazing escape" with only minor injuries after an explosion in their West Lothian home. |
| The front and rear walls of the semi-detached house in Loaninghill Park, Uphall, blew out and the roof was damaged shortly before 0745 BST. | The front and rear walls of the semi-detached house in Loaninghill Park, Uphall, blew out and the roof was damaged shortly before 0745 BST. |
| Fire crews and gas emergency services are carrying out an investigation. | Fire crews and gas emergency services are carrying out an investigation. |
| Emma Hastie, 85, who is also known as Molly, and Frank Hastie, 86, were taken to St John's Hospital in Livingston. | Emma Hastie, 85, who is also known as Molly, and Frank Hastie, 86, were taken to St John's Hospital in Livingston. |
| Between 20 and 40 elderly residents living nearby have been evacuated to Uphall Community Centre in Strathbrock Place. | Between 20 and 40 elderly residents living nearby have been evacuated to Uphall Community Centre in Strathbrock Place. |
| The road has been closed and an investigation is under way. | The road has been closed and an investigation is under way. |
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| Witness account of the blast | Witness account of the blast |
| Tom Perry, who helped rescue the pair, said: "I got Molly and got someone to look after her. She was bleeding and she looked like she was badly shaken. | Tom Perry, who helped rescue the pair, said: "I got Molly and got someone to look after her. She was bleeding and she looked like she was badly shaken. |
| "Her husband Frank was still in bed. When I went to get him there was insulation on fire, so I stamped that out first of all before diving into where the kitchen was. The wall had been blown out and I could see Frank. | "Her husband Frank was still in bed. When I went to get him there was insulation on fire, so I stamped that out first of all before diving into where the kitchen was. The wall had been blown out and I could see Frank. |
| "I managed to grab him, he was struggling but he managed to get out. | "I managed to grab him, he was struggling but he managed to get out. |
| "He was badly shaken and really, really concerned." | "He was badly shaken and really, really concerned." |
| John McGregor, 71, who lives near the house, described hearing a bang. | John McGregor, 71, who lives near the house, described hearing a bang. |
| He said: "It sounded like a door slamming and I didn't give it much of a thought, then I went out and saw the devastation. | He said: "It sounded like a door slamming and I didn't give it much of a thought, then I went out and saw the devastation. |
| "The house is badly damaged with the front and back blown out." | "The house is badly damaged with the front and back blown out." |
| Another neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: "I heard a terrible bang just like a right explosion. | Another neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: "I heard a terrible bang just like a right explosion. |
| "Our house did shake a bit - and our houses are quite sturdy because they are built of brick." | "Our house did shake a bit - and our houses are quite sturdy because they are built of brick." |
| It is likely the semi-detached house in Uphall will be demolished | It is likely the semi-detached house in Uphall will be demolished |
| Gordon Fisher, of Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service, said: "The front of the house is right across the front garden. | Gordon Fisher, of Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service, said: "The front of the house is right across the front garden. |
| "It is an incredible escape when you see the scene of devastation up there. | "It is an incredible escape when you see the scene of devastation up there. |
| "For two elderly people to walk away from that is incredible - it's an amazing escape." | "For two elderly people to walk away from that is incredible - it's an amazing escape." |
| He said an early investigation pointed to a gas explosion and said it appeared the house would have to be demolished. | He said an early investigation pointed to a gas explosion and said it appeared the house would have to be demolished. |
| "We don't have a time for when the evacuated residents will be allowed back into their homes," he added. | "We don't have a time for when the evacuated residents will be allowed back into their homes," he added. |
| A West Lothian Council spokesman said: "Our building control staff assessed the situation and it was decided to demolish the property in Uphall as quickly as possible." | A West Lothian Council spokesman said: "Our building control staff assessed the situation and it was decided to demolish the property in Uphall as quickly as possible." |
| Work began on Thursday afternoon. | Work began on Thursday afternoon. |
| The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said its inspectors were at the scene. | The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said its inspectors were at the scene. |
| They are carrying out an investigation into the circumstances of the incident together with Lothian and Borders Police and the gas suppliers. | They are carrying out an investigation into the circumstances of the incident together with Lothian and Borders Police and the gas suppliers. |