Desperate search in rubble after explosion destroys house

An explosion ripped through a home yesterday evening, destroying its top floor.

Emergency services were called to the property in Kellie Place, Alloa, Clackmannanshire, at around 6pm.

The roof and first floor of the house were destroyed in the explosion, and specialist firefighters were last night searching through the rubble.

After the blast, smoke was seen pouring from the property. It was not known last night if anybody had been hurt in the incident.

However, there was a significant emergency services presence at the scene.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said it was alerted to the 'explosion and fire' yesterday evening.

A spokesman added: 'Operations control immediately mobilised a number of resources to the scene including specialist urban search and rescue units and a heavy rescue unit.'

Police Scotland urged people to avoid the area as emergency services worked at the site, with sniffer dogs seen in the street.

Officers shut several roads surrounding the property as firefighters worked to make the house safe.