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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Charlie Gall

First picture of Scots OAP killed when house collapsed in gas explosion

The first picture has emerged of a Shetland gran who died following a gas explosion.

Peggy Griffiths, 84, lost her fight for life after her home collapsed in the horrific blast.

Miraculously her 16-year-old  grandson Phillip survived with just minor injuries after stumbling to safety from an upstairs bedroom.

Police and fire chiefs have launched an investigation into the cause of the tragedy, but there are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances.

Shetland isn't connected to the mains gas supply, and Peggy fuelled her home with bottled gas, located outside her kitchen, according to a neighbour.

She was rushed to Gilbert Bain Hospital in Lerwick after being pulled from the rubble of the two-storey house on Ockragarth estate in the village of Brae.

Despite the best efforts of medics, sadly she could not be saved.

Neighbour Georgia Smith was visiting her dad 150 yards away at the time of the explosion.

She watched in horror as young Phillip fell from his room through the debris.

She said: "Peggy was in the kitchen. She was the one who took the full brunt of it."

Police at the scene of the gas blast at a house in Shetland (Hans Marter)

Shetland Community has set up a JustGiving page to raise money to help Phillip and his mum Mary, who lived in the house with Peggy, rebuild their lives.

So far almost £4,000 has been raised to help the family.

The online post explains: "Grandson Philip was also in the property in an upstairs bedroom and fell out of the house - he thankfully survived the incident however has lost absolutely all his personal belongings from his clothes, phone, DVDs, game consoles etc.

"Please help raise money to support Philip and his mother Mary in buying necessary belongings in order to try help re-build their lives."

You can donate here .

Chief Inspector Lindsay Tulloch said: “Our thoughts are with the lady’s family and friends at this very difficult time for them.

“Inquiries to establish the full circumstances are ongoing with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service .

“However, there are no apparent suspicious circumstances.”

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