Two seriously hurt in North Lanarkshire explosion

Two men have been taken to Glasgow's Royal Infirmary with critical injuries after an explosion in North Lanarkshire earlier.

Emergency services including two ambulances, an air ambulance, police and the fire brigade were called to a what we are told is a commerical property on Bonkle Road in Newmains at around 1.30pm.

The two men were taken to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and two other men escaped uninjured.

Firecrews were called to the scene to battle a blaze inside the building and the road was sealed off to traffic.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Around 1.35pm on Thursday 5 October 2017, police were called to a report of an explosion within a building in Bonkle Road, Newmains, Wishaw.

"Emergency services are at the scene and two injured parties are being treated by ambulance.

"Police enquiries are ongoing and a number of nearby properties are being evacuated at a precaution."

A Scottish Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We received a call at 1333 hours today to attend an address on Bonkle Road in Wishaw.

“We dispatched two ambulances, our special operations response team, the trauma team, an officer and our Helimed air ambulance.

“The first unit arrived on scene within three minutes."

Neil Gray MP said: "I am shocked to hear about the explosion in Bonkle Road today.

"I have contacted Police Scotland and will keep in touch with them for updates as things develop.

"I am available should anyone need my help and my thoughts and best wishes for a speedy recovery go to those who have been injured in the blast."

A spokeswoman for SGN said: "Following reports of a small explosion at lunch-time in Bonkles Road, Wishaw, our engineers joined the emergency services on site.

"Our engineers made the situation safe by turning off the gas supply to the building.

"We understand several people are injured and are being treated in hospital. Our thoughts are with them and their family.

"The cause of the explosion is under investigation."