Safety works to clear the rubble from flats ripped apart by an explosion in East Kilbride have started this week.
Residents of the 18 properties in the Village's Main Street have not been allowed back into their homes since the terrifying incident on May 3, which the council have now confirmed was a gas explosion.
We told you how emergency services raced to the scene with shocked by-standers describing how nearby buildings "shook".
Many residents were left with nothing but the clothes on their back as they scrambled to escape.
Since then, the community have rallied around to help, with several fundraisers organised and a number of local organisations donating emergency supplies to residents left homeless.
Local letting agent, Angel Homes, even appealed to landlords who had vacant properties to get in touch in a bid to find temporary housing for those in need.
South Lanarkshire Council began structural safety inspections on May 12 and say they will now begin to remove 'displaced sections' of the flats affected.
But it could be several more weeks before residents will be given access to any properties to collect belongings.
And it could be months before residents know when they will be able to return home depending on the full extent of the damage as well as the time taken to liaise with the various owners and insurers, say SLC.
Daniel Lowe, executive director of housing and technical resources, told Lanarkshire Live: “Safety works started on Tuesday, with the removal of displaced sections of the flat affected by the gas explosion.
“It’s anticipated that this work could take up to two weeks to complete and thereafter we will focus on providing safe access for the collection of residents belongings.
“Residents continue to be provided with regular updates.”
*Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here.
