Gas leak forces five Hamilton families from their homes

Nov 17 2011 by Chris Clements, Hamilton Advertiser

WORK is still ongoing to determine the cause of a gas leak that left five families locked out of their Hamilton homes.

Five houses in Balcomie Terrace had to be evacuated on Tuesday afternoon after a major gas leak was detected.

At the Advertiser went to press yesterday (Wednesday), a number of emergency engineers from Scotland Gas Networks were still working outside the Meikle Earnock addresses, using mechanised digging equipment.

Residents of the homes affected were still not allowed to return to their homes yesterday afternoon, as workers tried to repair the leak.

Meikle Earnock resident Keith Irvine told the Advertiser that elderly in-laws – William and Helen Connelly (66) – had been out of their homes since 4pm on Tuesday and were still waiting to return.

“Early on Tuesday, they noticed a strong smell of gas from outside their home and called emergency gas services,” he explained.

“They were told someone would be there within the hour but almost three hours and another phone call later, gas engineers appeared and immediately evacuated their home and four others nearby.

“My in-laws were asked if they had somewhere to go, so they came to our house.

“They were still there at 11.30pm on Tuesday, but left later to go to Helen’s sister’s house.

“Is there not some kind of emergency response to make sure people are getting looked after or have somewhere to stay?

“They were told they may get back to their homes at 10pm, but they are out of their home.

“My in-laws don’t have an idea what is going on or when they can get back to their home.”

A spokeswoman for Scotland Gas Networks said: “Our emergency engineers received a report of a gas leak in Balcomie Terrace, Hamilton, on Tuesday lunchtime.

“They attended the scene immediately to investigate, and decided to evacuate the terrace, numbers 6 to 10, due to the high level of gas and for the safety of the public.”

She continued: “The residents should be back in their houses this evening (Wednesday).

“However, they may have no gas supply until Friday, as the leak may take some time to repair.”

The spokeswoman said they were still investigating the cause of the gas leak.