Alloa residents left 'heartbroken' after block of flats explodes in town centre, killing one man

Locals in Alloa have spoken of their shock after a block of flats exploded in the town centre, killing one man and injuring three others on Sunday.

Emergency services were called to Kellie Place at around 6pm on October 6 after reports of a blast at a property.

One man, who was within the property, was pronounced dead at the scene. He has yet to be formally identified.

Three others, a 72-year-old man, a 19-year-old man and a 49-year-old woman, were taken to Forth Valley Royal Infirmary for treatment to minor injuries.

CCTV video from the nearby Alba restaurant caught the moment the block of flats exploded on Sunday.

The footage, shared with STV News, shows a mass of orange flames bursting from the property accompanied by a loud bang.

A major emergency service response were called to Kellie Place, Alloa, at around 6pm on Sunday after reports of an explosion at a block of flats. Paul Smith

Thick smoke billows from the blast-zone which causes members of the public to run towards the incident.

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.

Gary Singh was working nearby at the Alba restaurant when he heard a massive bang. The 28-year-old initially thought someone had crashed into the side of the restaurant and went to investigate.

After leaving the building, Gary noticed smoke billowing from the property on Kellie Place.

He told STV News: “We went over there first and we probably shouldn’t have gotten as close as we did but we started chapping on peoples’ doors, making sure people were safe.

“I realised it was a big incident as soon as they started closing the street off. We had a busy night ahead of us as well, quite a lot of diners in, but we had to get everybody out, safety comes first.

“It breaks your heart, right on your doorstep you don’t ever want to see that.”

Gary Singh raced to help local residents after hearing the explosion from a nearby restaurant STV News

Mark Wallace lives half a mile away from Kellie Place but was alerted to the incident when he heard a “loud explosion”.

The 50-year-old said: “The top half of the house is gone. It’s quite shocking, quite devastating to see the amount of damage that it’s done to the house and to the roof.

“My thoughts go out to the family and to those that have survived.”

Keith Brown, MSP for Clackmannshire and Dunblane, told STV News the incident has shocked the local community.

He said: “It is an absolute tragedy for the gentleman who lost his life and his family, obviously an ongoing ordeal for those that have been injured.

“But a very shocking incident to happen right here in the centre of Alloa.

“I mean no community would be used to this kind of event but certainly its shocked local people.”

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

Chief inspector Kat Thompson, area commander, said: “Our enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances of what happened and we continue to work with partner agencies.

“Our thoughts are with the family of the man who has died and everyone affected in the local community.

“We would like to thank the local community for their co-operation and support and officers remain in the area.”

A man has died and three people taken to hospital after an explosion at a block of flats in Alloa. Paul Smith

Clackmannanshire Council said a rest centre for those affected was set up at Alloa town hall while gas and electrical work was undertaken onsite.

Those affected by the blast managed 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 spokesperson for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: “We were alerted at 6pm on Sunday, October 6, to multiple reports of an explosion and a fire within a house in Kellie Place, Alloa.

“Operations Control immediately mobilised a number of resources to the including specialist Urban Search and Rescue Unit and a heavy rescue unit.

“Three people were rescued from the building and required treatment for minor injuries.

“Sadly, one man who was in the building at the time of the explosion was pronounced dead at the scene.

“Crews left the scene after ensuring the area was safe, however the public may see appliances at the scene as we continue to monitor the building and assist with investigation efforts.”

Engineers from the Scottish Gas Network arrived at the scene to ensure the area was made safe following the explosion.

Dan Brown, spokesperson for gas company SGN, said: “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.”