Two people critically injured after building explosion

Bonkle Road in Newmains has been closed while emergency services attend the incident

A man and a woman are in a critical condition in hospital following an explosion at a commercial premises in North Lanarkshire.

The Scottish Ambulance Service said it received a call at about 13:30 to attend an address on Bonkle Road in Newmains.

A spokesman said the two patients were taken to the Glasgow Royal Infirmary accompanied by trauma doctors.

It is believed they suffered severe burns.

Two ambulances, a special operations team, a trauma team and the Helimed ambulance attended the incident.

Local people said their houses shook. Some were evacuated but they were later allowed back into their homes.

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokeswoman said firefighters had tackled a small fire.

It is understood the premises may have been near, or part of, Newmains Pastoral Centre. The disused building was formerly used as a retreat centre for the Diocese of Motherwell.

It is believed four people were working within the premises at the time, two of whom were uninjured.

The Health and Safety Executive attended the scene to carry out initial investigations.