Four homes 'likely' to be demolished following Kincaidston explosion

Four homes are likely to be demolished following Monday night’s explosion in the Kincaidston area of Ayr.

Around 30 homes remain cordoned off, which 46 families have been allowed to return home. It was hoped the majority of the rest would be able to get back to their houses by the end of Thursday.

But the four properties at the centre of the blast are likely to be demolished, although Buildings Standards staff still need to make the decision final.

READ MORE: Family of four in hospital following Ayr explosion

Speaking to Clyde 1 News South Ayrshire Council leader Peter Henderson said: “obviously the site of the explosion is already demolished. It’s the neighbouring properties in Gorse Park that still need to be assessed.

“If the structural integrity is gone then they will have to be demolished. Even if it’s not demolition there will be extensive work that needs to be carried out.

Residents were evacuated from part of the Kincaidston area in Ayr, South Ayrshire, following the blast on Monday evening which police said affected four properties.

A family of four were taken to hospital following the blast in Gorse Park on Monday, which could be heard for miles around.

READ MORE: 'Massive explosion' rocks Scots homes

A couple, named locally as William and Marion Ferguson, and two boys aged 11 and 16 remain in different hospitals in Glasgow, where they’re said to be in a serious condition.

Inquiries are ongoing to establish the cause of the explosion.

As of Wednesday afternoon, 35 homes in the area affected remained out of bounds due to damage caused by the explosion.

Some of the houses have varying degrees of debris on or around them and some are in close proximity to the site of the explosion.

To date, 46 properties in the area have been deemed safe enough for residents to return.

Due to the extent of the blast, properties outside the cordon were also damaged, including four which will require extensive repairs before residents can return, the council confirmed.

Other properties have been damaged by debris and some homes are not safe to access due to broken windows and debris both inside and out.

The council said its neighbourhood services groups are on site assisting emergency services in removing the wreckage from the wider area.

The teams are also working to ensure residents displaced by the incident are returned home as soon as possible.The council said anyone who is from a household or knows someone from a property affected by the explosion can contact 0300 123 0900 for more information.

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