A 52-year-old man has been taken to hospital after a suspected gas explosion at a flat in South Lanarkshire.

The fire service was called to the home on Main Street, East Kilbride, shortly after 11.20am on Monday.

Police originally said two people had been injured, but confirmed in a subsequent statement that only one 52-year-old man had been hurt and was taken to Glasgow Royal Infirmary.

A Police Scotland spokeswoman added: “A number of people have been evacuated as a precaution from the surrounding buildings. Emergency services remain on the scene.”

Firefighters found the scene of a suspected gas explosion at a third floor flat

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokeswoman said: “We were alerted at 11.23am on Monday, May 3 to reports of a building on fire at Main Street, East Kilbride.

“Operations Control immediately mobilised six appliances and additional specialist rescue equipment to the three-storey tenement block.

“On arrival firefighters found the scene of a suspected gas explosion at a third floor flat.

“Crews remain in attendance as they work to make the building safe and road closures are in place.”