Families evacuated from homes after silo collapses at distillery

no injuries, but debris and barley spill into Islay gardens

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Families were evacuated from their homes on Islay yesterday after a silo containing 500tonnes of grain collapsed at a whisky maltings.

The drama unfolded at 5.35am at the Port Ellen facility owned by Diageo on the famous whisky island.

Residents of nearby houses were woken by what they thought was thunder, before seeing debris and malted barley spilling into their gardens.

A total of 16 people were evacuated.

No one was injured, but there were fears that an adjacent silo would also collapse and it was emptied as a precaution.

The area, which includes about 40 smaller silos, was cordoned off by police and surrounding roads were closed. Diageo sent a team of engineering experts to the island, although initial attempts by the company to charter a plane were thwarted by bad weather conditions and the team made the two-hour ferry journey from mainland Argyll.

Margaret McCuaig, of Antrim View, close to the maltings, said: “It is a mess. It has spilled into two gardens in Bay View right to their back doors.

“There’s a wooden fence between the silos and the houses and it’s knocked that down. It is a worry.”

Islay-based councillor Robin Currie, of Bruichladdich, said: “When there is 500tonnes of grain spilled all around it’s bound to be in a terrible mess, the houses are very close to the maltings. We are just very pleased that there hasn’t been any casualties and everybody is fine.”

A spokesman for Diageo said: “Neighbouring houses have been evacuated while the investigation into the cause of the incident is ongoing.

“Safety remains our top priority and we are working closely with the police to ensure that the local residents involved are kept fully informed.”

Locals spent last night at a hotel and it is hoped they will be able to return to their homes today after further investigations by structural engineers.

The spokeswoman said the incident would not affect whisky production on the island. Diageo owns two distilleries on Islay, Lagavulin on the east and Caol Ila on the north.

She added that they were still evaluating what to do with the barley which spilled out of the silo, which was more than 40ft tall. Argyll Community Housing Association (Acha) properties 1-6 Bay View were among the homes evacuated.

Acha chief executive Alastair MacGregor said: “We are relieved that as far as we understand everyone got out safely.

“We have made arrangements for temporary accommodation if tenants can’t go back to their homes. We are concerned about what has happened because of the close proximity of our houses. We would welcome a report into the circumstances so that we can be clear on the way forward.”

A spokesman for the Health and Safety Executive said: “We are making further inquiries into the incident and working closely with the Diageo management.”