GAS BLAST TERROR

»Neighbour tells how she feared 'WWIII had started' » Trapped residents were heard 'screaming for help

A TERRIFIED woman "thought World War III had started" after a suspected gas explosion killed one man and injured three people.

Emergency services raced to a house in Kellie Place, Alloa, after the blast around 6pm on Sunday.

A man, who was inside the building, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Three other people in the property two men, aged 72 and 19, and a 49-year-old woman were taken to Forth Valley Royal Hospital with minor injuries.

Neighbour Rosie Adamson, who heard the deadly blast, said: "I just heard this big boom - my doors shook. I thought World War III had started.

"I ran to the window and saw the flames and the smoke.

"I immediately heard emergency service sirens. By the time I'd run in there, the police, fire service and ambulances were all outside. I couldn't fault how quick they were.

"My first thought was please don't let there be anybody in there"." Rosie, who says she is thinking of the family of the man who died, has asked police to leave flowers at the scene.

She said: "Unfortunately, someone did die, and it's just horrible.

"I gave the police some flowers to put outside the house, to mark a bit of respect.

Nobody's allowed up there, so they're going to do it for me. My thoughts are with the family." Garry Singh, who had been working in his nearby restaurant, also heard the huge bang, and felt the building shake.

He left with a diner in a bid to help anyone trapped in the building, which had its roof blown off in the blast, and in the surrounding properties.