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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Ryan Thom

MSP left in the dark by Ayr house explosion inspectors as she calls for answers

An MSP has been left in the dark by health and safety chiefs after demanding answers over the Kincaidston disaster.

Ayr MSP Siobhian Brown has called on the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to deliver its final report into what caused the Gorse Park explosion six months on.

The SNP politician says she has as much knowledge over what happened on October, 18 2021 as the shattered community who are desperate for clarity.

Four homes were ripped apart when a huge blast rocked the estate and left a family-of-four with serious injuries.

Ms Brown says residents have been left with everlasting trauma in the days, weeks and months following the major incident.

And she has backed calls for the HSE – who are the only agency now carrying out a probe – to make public their findings after it was revealed that the final report will not be published.

Ms Brown told Ayrshire Live: “Six months on, the events of that night in October are fresh in all of our minds. The trauma suffered by the community may never go away. We need to help Kincaidston heal. One way to do that is by giving the community answers.

“They need to know what caused this so that measures can be put in place to avoid anything like this happening again.

"I appreciate that investigations can take time but that’s of little consequence to those who have suffered because of this.”

Ayrshire Live told how HSE were ready to hold back the final report – with the only route for victims to know the truth being via a Freedom of Information request.

However, Ms Brown has written to inspectors to demand the report is published.

Ms Brown added: “I’m calling on the Health and Safety Executive to publish the findings of the investigation in a timely fashion or put a timescale on the results.

"For the sake of those involved, it is the only way this community can try to rebuild. I have written to the HSE to relay the concerns of everyone in the area.

“My thoughts continue to lie with the people of Kincaidston and I am forever proud of the community spirit shown on that night and throughout.”

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