Couple wait to get back in home after Edinburgh explosion
- Published
A couple whose home was damaged in an explosion in Edinburgh almost two months ago say they have no idea if or when they will get back into their home.
Gary and Norma Taylor lived in the same row where two houses were destroyed in Baberton on 1 December.
James Smith, 84, was killed in the blast and a man and a woman were taken to hospital.
The Taylors were not injured but have been in temporary accommodation since.
The City of Edinburgh Council said it would keep residents updated.
Locals surveying the damage from behind the police cordon
"We're not looking for sympathy, we're looking for action," Mr Taylor told BBC Scotland News.
The explosion happened late on a Friday night.
It had such an impact that residents in the next street reported feeling their whole houses shake.
Mr Taylor described it as "the most almighty crash".
He said: "It wasn't just me that thought this - somebody thought a light aircraft had flown into the roof."
The couple and their neighbours rushed outside in disbelief.
The fire service arrived and switched off the gas in the couple's home, but also broke the news that they would not be able to return that evening.
They are now living in a temporary flat nearby.
The street remains closed off and no work has begun on repairing or assessing the couple's home
Eight homes remain sealed off. Two of those were destroyed in the blast.
The City of Edinburgh Council said it had been in regular contact with residents and was continuing to liaise with the different insurance companies about progressing permanent repairs.
Leader Cammy Day said: "The investigation by the Health and Safety Executive is ongoing however we have a statutory responsibility to keep the public safe.
"We are currently determining whether further intrusive surveys are needed to some of the adjacent properties to assess the extent of the structural damage suffered by those homes, and we will continue to keep all those affected residents updated."
More costs
The Health and Safety Executive said it was continuing to investigate alongside Police Scotland.
It previously said that the focus of the investigation related to the internal gas installations at a property and not the network.
Mrs Taylor said: "We don't want to go back in there until someone, on our behalf, is saying 'this is safe and sound for you to move back in, and you'll be able to sell it whenever you want and insure it.'"
The Taylors lived in the same row as the house which was destroyed in the explosion
The couple's insurance will not cover the structural report that is needed, so they will have to pay for that themselves.
But they are very grateful to be both alive and without injury.
"It's been worse for my wife," Mr Taylor said.
She added: "I just want things moving so we can get back in our house, as long as it's safe to do that.".