Man injured in suspected gas explosion within third-floor flat

A man has been injured following a suspected gas explosion within a third-floor flat in South Lanarkshire.

Emergency services were alerted to the incident in Main Street, East Kilbride, shortly before 11.30am on Monday.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) mobilised six appliances and specialist rescue equipment to the scene.

Police Scotland initially reported that two people had been injured and were attended to by paramedics. However, in an update later on Monday the force confirmed that it was a 52-year-old man, who has since been taken to Glasgow Royal Infirmary.

Officers have closed the road and evacuated a number of people from the surrounding buildings “as a precaution”.

A SFRS spokesperson said: “We were alerted at 11.23am on Monday, May 3, to reports of a building on fire at Main Street, East Kilbride.

“Operations control immediately mobilised six appliances and additional specialist rescue equipment to the three-storey tenement block.

“On arrival firefighters found the scene of a suspected gas explosion at a third floor flat.

“Crews remain in attendance as they work to make the building safe and road closures are in place.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 11.25am on Monday, May 3, police received a report of a suspected gas explosion in Main Street, East Kilbride.

“One man, aged 52, was injured and has been taken to Glasgow Royal Infirmary.

“A number of people have been evacuated as a precaution from the surrounding buildings.

“Emergency services remain on the scene.”