Emergency services / Two injured as blast destroys house in Brae
AN ELDERLY woman and a teenage boy have been taken to hospital following a gas explosion at a house in the north mainland of Shetland.
The explosion in Brae, which happened at just after 2pm, completely destroyed the building at Ockragarth, part of a housing estate known locally as Toy Town.
The boy is reported to have been in the bedroom when the explosion happened, and managed to “roll out” of the collapsed building with only minor injuries.
Neighbours helped the woman from the house and attended to her while waiting for the ambulance. A doctor from the Brae surgery also attended.
A neighbour, Georgia Smith, who lives about 100 yards from the scene, said she and her dad were enjoying the sun in the garden when the explosion occurred.
It took between 20-25 minutes for the first fire engine to arrive at the scene and a further 20 minutes for the ambulance to make it to Brae.
Police said the woman was at this stage not believed to have sustained life threatening injuries.
Fire fighters were seen on Tuesday afternoon dousing the building to keep the dust down from the asbestos roof of the collapsed building.
Become a supporter of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.
Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has over 600 supporters who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.
Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -
- Bring you the headlines as they happen;
- Stay editorially independent;
- Give a voice to the community;
- Grow site traffic further;
- Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.
Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.