Man, 84, dies after explosion at neighbour’s home in Edinburgh

Police named man as James Smith, while a woman, 43, and a man, 54, were also taken to hospital

An 84-year-old man who died after an explosion at his neighbour’s house in Edinburgh has been named locally as James Smith, Police Scotland said.

Police officers were called to the Baberton area at 10.25pm on Friday after “multiple reports” about the blast.

A 43-year-old woman and a 54-year-old man were taken to hospital but their condition is unknown. Police said there were no suspicious circumstances.

A number of homes were evacuated as a precaution and Baberton Mains Avenue remained closed on Saturday. The Scottish fire and rescue service said two people were rescued from the ruins of the home before their arrival. The service left the scene at 6.39am on Saturday.

A spokesperson for gas distributor SGN said it had been brought in to assist emergency services and ensure the area was “made safe”, adding it was “too early to speculate” on the cause of the explosion.

On X, some people reported hearing the explosion as far away as Gilmerton, a suburb on the fringe of Edinburgh and miles from the blast site. Neighbours said they could feel their homes shaking, while another person tweeted that they had heard the blast from inside a cinema in the nearby suburb of Wester Hailes.

Police Scotland said: “Around 10.25pm on Friday 1 December 2023 we were called to reports of an explosion at a property on Baberton Mains Avenue in Edinburgh. Emergency services are at the scene, and we would advise people to avoid the area at this time.”

A Scottish fire and rescue service spokesperson said: “We were alerted at 10.26pm on Friday 1 December to reports of a gas explosion affecting residential properties on Baberton Mains Avenue in Edinburgh.

“Operations control mobilised five fire appliances and specialist resources to the area where firefighters worked to make the area safe. Two casualties were rescued prior to our arrival, and the crews remain on scene.”

Cammy Day, the leader of Edinburgh city council, said: “This is incredibly sad news for the city and all of our thoughts are with those affected.

“We’re very grateful to the emergency services who responded so quickly and tirelessly last night, evacuating the scene and making the surrounding area safe. I know that council officers assisted into the early hours of this morning and continue to stand ready to support all agencies and the local community.”

Sue Webber, a Scottish Tory MSP for the Lothian region, said on X: “Such tragic news, in such a close community. Thank you to all the emergency services that attended. My thoughts and prayers are with those impacted by this incident.”

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