Inverness residents evacuated in alert involving gas-filled house
Armed police surround building before male occupant is arrested
Published:
Inverness residents were ordered to flee their homes in the early hours of yesterday after police feared a gas explosion could be set off in a nearby house.
The major incident happened in the Crown area near the city centre, and at the height of the drama firefighters, paramedics, gas service personnel and armed police in riot gear surrounded a ground floor flat in normally quiet Reay Street.
A gas supply company spokeswoman said later it was a very dangerous situation and that a high level of domestic gas was recorded in their instruments in and around the home.
The area was cordoned off by police who were alerted by a concerned member of the public at about 2.30pm.
The gas supply to the flat at No 1B was cut off about an hour later by engineers from Scottish Gas Networks.
Police then forced open the flat’s front door and removed a 44-year-old man shortly before 3am.
The man, who was not named by police, was taken by ambulance to Raigmore Hospital for treatment. Police later said he had fully recovered.
Neighbours said they were shocked by the incident.
Bill Mowat, of 3 Reay Street, said he was more than surprised to be roused from his sleep at 2.45am by a policeman at his door. Mr Mowat, a writer, said: “A policeman came to the door and said there was a gas related incident and I had to get out of the flat.”
Later he saw gas vehicles as well as police, ambulances and fire engines and discovered that it was one man on his own who had started the incident.
He added: “We were out in the street for about two hours. Fortunately, it was a fine night and there was an ambulance service mini-bus where you could sit.
“I have never experienced anything like it before. It was a bit bizarre.”
Mr Mowat said, although it was an inconvenience, the police and emergency services’ top priority was public safety.
A woman in adjacent Charles Street, who watched the whole incident unfold, said: “It was about 3.15am when I saw two ambulances, two fire engines and loads of police in the street. Some had riot-style shields. We saw a man taken out and put into an ambulance. It was very unusual.”
Local councillor Bet McAllister said: “Having to evacuate their homes was a frightening and difficult experience for the people in the street, quite a few of whom are elderly.
“But the residents accept that Northern Constabulary could not take any risk of an explosion and did the right thing carrying out the evacuation procedure.”
Sharon Miller-McKenzie, of Scottish Gas Networks, said: “A team of engineers were called to the incident at 3.30am. We had to make sure that the property affected was safe. The first thing we did was cut off the gas supply to the house.
“It became apparent that the flat was filled with gas after we took readings outside.
“It was a very dangerous situation.”
Acting Chief Inspector Colin Gough, of Northern Constabulary, said: “The primary concern was for the male person within the house, the safety of neighbouring residents and the emergency service personnel. We tried to keep the disruption to a minimum, but a number of residents had to be evacuated for their own safety, and I thank them for their patience and understanding.”
A police spokesman last night said a 44-year-old man had been charged in connection with an alleged incident in the early hours of yesterday morning in Reay Street. He is expected to appear at Inverness Sheriff Court today.
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