A close-knit island community was yesterday mourning the death of a gran who died after a horror gas explosion.
Peggy Griffiths, 84, survived the initial blast but died in hospital from her injuries.
Her 16-year-old grandson Phillip, who was in a bedroom upstairs, managed to stumble to safety from the destroyed building.
Yesterday, neighbour Georgia Smith spoke of her shock at the tragedy in the village of Brae on Shetland.
Georgia told how she was visiting her dad Phil when disaster struck.
She said: “My dad and I were only 150 yards from the house. We couldn’t see it but we heard it and I thought, ‘What was that?’
“My dad instantly said, ‘Gas explosion’, and when I ran round and saw it I just said, ‘Where’s the house gone?’
“I saw Phillip falling out of his room, falling down out of the house through the debris.
“Peggy was in the kitchen. She was the one who took the full brunt of it."
Georgia said it was “a miracle” anyone had got out alive from the collapsed two-storey house, at Ockragarth estate.
She said: “The gas bottles are just outside Peggy’s kitchen – Shetland doesn’t have mains gas. It’s a close-knit community and everybody knew her. I know her daughter Mary.
“My dad and I were hoping Peggy would pull through but because of her age and injuries we were concerned. We felt awful when we found out that she’d died.”
Several people posted tributes to the OAP on social media.
Susan Morgan said: “Sincerest condolences to her family and friends.
“May she rest in eternal peace. I really hope her grandson will recover soon.”
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.”
