Skip to content

Demolition of homes damaged in gas explosion begins

Homes that were seriously damaged in a gas explosion in Edinburgh are finally being demolished more than a year later.

The blast on Baberton Mains Avenue in December 2023 killed James Smith, 84, and a man and a woman were taken to hospital.

Residents have been frustrated in the aftermath over how long it has taken to demolish the properties.

New houses will be built in their place.

6 days ago

Explore More

Julia is wearing a maroon top while sitting at a white table in a kitchen facing Keith, who is wearing a red top. They are both holding mugs.

The married couple on opposite sides at Hampden

Gary Moore, manager of Assai Records in Dundee, sifts through stacks of vinyls displayed along a wall. He is wearing a checked brown cardigan and black t-shirt.

The Scottish record shops dubbed 'world's greatest'

A close up shot of a red-breasted robin on top of a wooden roof. There are twigs and branches around the sides of the image.

'I filmed hours of city wildlife while recovering from surgery'

Edinburgh, Fife & East

Stacey Panda spent six years trying to get the council to fix an issue with mould in her daughter's room

'My daughter's cot went mouldy due to damp issues'

Edinburgh, Fife & East

Amelia Price is in her living room and is looking directly at the camera. She has long brown hair and a centre parting. Behind her is a brick fireplace, a white bookshelf and cupboards.

I'm less protected now than before my rapist's trial

Edinburgh, Fife & East

William Budge was caught on camera hitting his wife before driving over her again

Watch judge sentence man who drove over wife

Edinburgh, Fife & East

A composite image with the remains of a cedar tree on the left and Simon Milne of the Edinburgh Botanic Gardens on the right

Tallest tree destroyed in storm 'like loss of an old friend'

Edinburgh, Fife & East

Two men wearing black waterproof jackets stand in the rain on Edinburgh's Princes St as its Festive lights glow in the background. The man on the left wears a white hat under his hood, which is covered in water droplets, and a black and grey scarf. The second man has glasses and a black scarf.

Watch: 'We're so disappointed' - tourists react to cancelled Hogmanay

Edinburgh, Fife & East

A 16ft knitted Christmas tree. The trunk of the tree is made of wood with wooden pegs sticking out from it. Knitted squares in colours of green are attached to look like branches. Other knitted decorations like stockings and baubles are attached.

The 16ft knitted Christmas tree aiming to tackle loneliness

Edinburgh, Fife & East

A shoplifter with face blurred gathers up a bundle of green gloves with furry lining from a shelf in a clothes shop.

Moment Royal Mile thief stuffs gloves into his trousers

Edinburgh, Fife & East

Olivia Gallosi is on the left and has brown hair, a yellow jumper and a brown jacket. She has headphones around her neck and a rucksack on her back. Roni Sharp is on the right and is wearing a purple jumper and has a pink bag on her shoulder. There are buildings in the background.

Edinburgh University students tell of discrimination on campus

Edinburgh, Fife & East

A young surfer with a green helmet rides through a crashing white wave. A person in a red jacket watches over a brown wall.

Europe's largest inland surf resort opens in disused quarry

Edinburgh, Fife & East

An old black and white picture shows firefighters on a fire engine as it leaves the fire station through a brick archway

How Scotland's first fire brigade inspired the world

Edinburgh, Fife & East

Firework explodes on the top or a building behind a traffic island sending red and yellow sparks showering metres in all directions.

Watch: Fireworks set off on Scottish streets on Bonfire Night

Rare pygmy hippo calf at Edinburgh Zoo standing on some hay

Meet Haggis - the rare pygmy hippo born at Edinburgh zoo

Edinburgh, Fife & East

Dan MacNee standing in his cluttered flat in a red jumper and black jacket spattered with white and yellow paint.

'My hoarding makes me uncomfortable, but it's my life'

Edinburgh, Fife & East

BBC Scotland political correspondent Kirsten Campbell

Take a look at the Scottish Parliament building on its 20th birthday

Sonny, who has short black hair and is wearing a black rain coat, walking through Edinburgh's Grassmarket area during one of his guided tours of the city.

'I was homeless - now I show tourists my city's hidden side'

Edinburgh, Fife & East

Co-directors of Lothians Speak Their Name

Stitched with love: Suicide memorial quilt brings comfort to bereaved

Edinburgh, Fife & East

An independent review found that Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre had not put survivors first.

Rape Crisis Scotland boss apologises to rape survivors over support centre failings

Edinburgh, Fife & East

A group of racing Corgis. The dog in the lead is being jostled from behind by another corgi.

Top dogs compete at annual Corgi Derby

Edinburgh, Fife & East

A worker walks in front of a lorry as it moves a huge power transformer past houses in a village at night

Roads close as huge wind farm transformer moves into position

One of the largest power transformers to be installed in Scotland is transported through East Lothian.

Edinburgh, Fife & East

Newburgh in Fife holds a competition every year for its children to design a new festive light

The town with Christmas lights designed by kids

Newburgh in Fife holds a competition every year for its children to design a new festive light.

Edinburgh, Fife & East

A two-storey house brightly illuminated in multi-coloured Christmas lights. There are small light up Christmas trees, light up candy canes, pink light up angels wings around the garden.

The house with the 24,000 light Christmas display

For the past four years Anna and Gary Gray have spent their year turning their home into a high-tech Christmas light show which runs throughout December.

Edinburgh, Fife & East

Alpine coaster

Watch: Scotland's first alpine coaster in action

The attraction has been built at Midlothian Snowsports Centre at Hillend

Edinburgh, Fife & East

The recycled bedding has been distributed to new owners who have signed up to the scheme

Second-hand bedding a hit at St Andrews University

The recycled bedding has been distributed to new owners who have signed up to the scheme.

Edinburgh, Fife & East

Worker bee being born from honeycomb cell

Watch as a worker bee is born

A worker bee hatches from a honeycomb cell.

Edinburgh, Fife & East

Magicians performing trick

Watch: Edinburgh Fringe magicians perform 'really freaky' trick

The trio behind "Insane Magic" pulled a trick that left BBC reporter lost for words.

Edinburgh, Fife & East

Mark Simmons talking

Comedian Mark Simmons tells this year's Edinburgh Fringe funniest joke

A witty pun about a sailing trip has been named the funniest joke at this year's Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Edinburgh, Fife & East

bin worker

'I can't say on camera the things I see as a waste worker'

BBC Scotland News has followed street cleansing worker Rab O'Neill on one of his shifts to see what his role involves.

Edinburgh, Fife & East

Oren Smith-Carpenter

‘I left school at 16 to join Scots space race sector’

After becoming CEO of his own company aged just 23, Oren Smith-Carpenter doesn’t regret leaving school at 16.

Edinburgh, Fife & East

Paul Wilson at Edinburgh Castle

Arrested at Edinburgh Castle for being gay in the Army

Paul Wilson’s military band career was abruptly ended in 1988 when officers discovered he was gay.

Edinburgh, Fife & East

Dan Roantree

Renter's 'disheartening' search to buy a home

Dan Roantree has been unable to get onto the property ladder because of high rents and increasing house prices.

Edinburgh, Fife & East

King Charles and Queen Camilla are in Edinburgh as part of Holyrood Week

King and Queen attend Thistle service in Edinburgh

King and Queen attend Thistle service in Edinburgh

Edinburgh, Fife & East

Man in parade holds sign saying Trans Rights Now

Pride returns to Edinburgh with colourful celebration

Large crowds gathered in Edinburgh for a colourful celebration of the LGBT community.

Edinburgh, Fife & East

Taylor Swift fans

Swifties give their verdict on first UK Eras show

Taylor Swift fans give their reaction to the first UK Eras Tour show in Edinburgh

Edinburgh, Fife & East

Taylor Swift in concert

Weather forecast for Taylor Swift's Edinburgh gigs

A special weather forecast for Swifties headed to Edinburgh for three gigs at Murrayfield Stadium.

Edinburgh, Fife & East