Investigators confirm cause of blast which killed pensioner and hospitalised two

04 December 2023 , 14:36

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An explosion on a street in Edinburgh destroyed a house on Friday night and left one man dead (Image: National World / SWNS)

Investigators have revealed the cause of a house blast which left one male pensioner dead.

James Smith, 84, known as 'Jim', was killed in the explosion at a house on a residential street in Edinburgh on Friday night. Two others, a 54-year-old man and woman aged 43, were also rescued from the scene and taken to hospital after the house was completely reduced to rubble.

Now the Health and Safety Executive has released a report into the tragic blast, confirming it was caused by gas. A spokesperson for the authority said: "The focus of our investigation relates to the internal gas installations at the property and not the network. Our thoughts are with the friends and family of the man who sadly lost his life." Police Scotland has confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the blast.

Jim Smith, 84, has been named locally as the man who died in the blast

SGN Networks, which manages the gas distribution networks, expressed its "deepest sympathies" to the family of the man who died. A spokesman said: "We initially worked with the emergency services to ensure the immediate vicinity was made safe in our role as the gas emergency service. We're working with Edinburgh Council to offer support to residents evacuated following the explosion. We'd like to reassure the local community that their gas supply is safe to use."

Scottish Fire & Rescue Service were called at around 10.25pm on Friday to the avenue on the outskirts of the capital, confirming two people were rescued. It's understood that Mr Smith, who one neighbour described as a "lovely man", lived next door to the destroyed property.

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A spokesperson for the Service said at the time: "We were alerted at 10.26pm on Friday, 1 December, to reports of a gas explosion affecting two residential properties on Baberton Mains Avenue, Edinburgh. Operations Control mobilised five fire appliances and specialist resources to the scene. Two casualties were rescued prior to our attendance. Crews have now left the scene.”

Gas engineers and police officers at the scene (PA)

Meanwhile locals have been raising money for a family who "lost everything" in the explosion. Ross Aitchison was one of the first on the scene, Edinburgh Live reports, after hearing a bang from his home.

He pulled a woman out of the rubble with the help of another individual, and has since launched a fundraiser for the family raising around £1,400 by 10am - with a goal of £10,000. On the fundraising page, Ross said: "I’m trying to raise funds for a family who have tragical lost their home due to a devastating gas explosion in Edinburgh Baberton. With it being so close to Christmas they have lost everything and their home! I would like to please ask for anything small so we can give this family something back so close to Christmas. Thank you for anything donated!"

Susie Beever