Drumtochty Arms Hotel explosion, Auchenblae

Three people have been seriously injured after a suspected gas blast at a hotel which caused part of the building to collapse.

Emergency services were called and Firefighters are now searching through the wreckage of the Drumtochty Arms Hotel in Auchenblae, Aberdeenshire.

The search and rescue operation® is being undertaken through the 5ft pile of rubble as a precaution, despite beliefs that everyone has now been accounted for.

Sallie Booth, Partner at law firm Irwin Mitchell said "Following this incident we would encourage all hotel and guest house owners to take a fresh look at their safety and evacuation procedures to ensure they comply fully with all legal and regulatory requirements. Gas appliances in private homes  and especially in public places should be checked regularly for fault to reduce the risk of such tragedies occurring. This is essential both for public safety but also of course for insurance purposes."