A man rushed to hospital after an ' explosion ' completely destroyed a house in Falkirk has been named locally as Darren Graham.
The 33-year-old dad-of-two is being treated by medics at Glasgow Royal Infirmary following the blast on Broomage Crescent, Larbert, yesterday afternoon.
His condition is unknown and it is understood no-one else has been injured in the explosion.
The residential property was engulfed by a huge fire and partially collapsed after the flames ripped through the building.
A neighbour claimed a smell of gas had been reported to the Scottish Gas Networks at the residence and someone had been out to the property on Monday.
The Scottish Gas Board denied local claims they had been called out.
A spokesperson for SGN gas distribution company for Scotland said: "Following reports of an incident in Broomage Crescent, Larbert, earlier today, our engineers joined the emergency services on site at 2.28pm.
"We're continuing to work closely with the authorities."
Dramatic footage captured the moment the fire took hold after frightened neighbours heard a ‘huge bang’ followed by screams.
One neighbour said: "I’ve never heard a boom like it, it echoed.
"I was just walking back home with the dogs and the next thing there was this almighty bang and smash.
"I couldn’t make out where it was coming from though.
"The next minute I heard screaming and saw smoke billowing into the air.
"Loads of people came running out from their houses looking terrified.
Another resident in a neighbouring property said: "It’s just terrible, that poor family.
"I see them and the kids regularly.
"I hope Darren makes a full recovery, he seems like a nice guy.
"I thought the bang was coming from my TV because I was watching the news, but then I heard people shouting outside.
"When I looked out I almost fainted, I honestly couldn’t believe what I was seeing.
"The flames were something else, you could actually feel the heat from them halfway up the street.
"I quickly grabbed everything and ran out the door, I didn’t know what was going on."
A third neighbour said: "The bang was massive.
"I went along to the end of the street and saw flames and smoke.
"It was like something out of a movie."
Eyewitness Lisa Reid, 29, said: "I was dropping my friend off minutes after it happened, and only a few police cars arrived.
"Everyone was standing out in their gardens looking totally shocked. A few people ran down towards the house.
"There was a girl and her baby running towards the end of the street.
"She had a blanket over the baby because of all the smoke - she looked totally terrified.
"Then lots of police and fire engines arrived followed by ambulances.
"The police were shouting to everyone to get as far away from the street as possible.
"It was so scary."
At least 20 homes have been evacuated and displaced residents have taken shelter at local community hall Broomage Centre.
Next-door neighbour, Veronica Penman, 55 said: "It’s a disaster zone, it’s really really bad. I’ve not seen anything like it before.
"My house has been damaged quite badly, mostly by the smoke.
"The fire service have been in and accessed it but they said they will need to come back and check it's safe.
"I don’t know when I’ll get back into my house because there could be structural damage.
"The police said the area is unsafe.
"I just hope everyone is ok. I see that family all the time, they have kids."
Another neighbour, who didn't want to be named said: “My wife called me in a massive panic.
"She said the house next door had exploded and that she was ok.
"I rushed home right away.
"She saw the young chap lying in the garden. He was taken away by paramedics.
"We won’t be getting back into our house anytime soon. It's badly damaged with smoke and not safe."
It is unknown how many neighbouring properties were damaged in the blast.
Members of the public have been asked to stay away from the street.
A large cordon remains in place as emergency services continue to work through the rubble.
A spokesperson for the Scottish Ambulance Service said: "We received a call at 13:43 to attend an incident on Broomage Crescent, Larbert.
"A range of resources were sent to the scene and a patient was transferred to Glasgow Royal Infirmary."
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Around 1.40pm on Saturday, 26 February, police were called to reports of an explosion at a property on Broomage Crescent, Larbert.
"Emergency services are at the scene and a number of nearby buildings have been evacuated.
"One man has been taken to Glasgow Royal Infirmary by ambulance for treatment.
"We would advise people to avoid the area at this time for their own safety and to allow enquiries to continue."
A spokesperson for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: "We are asking people to avoid Broomage Crescent, Larbert following a reported explosion at a house at 1.40pm.
"We removed one man from the property and he was taken to hospital - no further casualties.
"We have six appliances and specialist resources still in attendance.
"Crews are working to extinguish a fire at the property which has partially collapsed."
Group Commander Andy McDermott added: "We would ask the public to avoid the area for their safety as well as motorists to help maintain access for emergency service vehicles."
Falkirk Council was contacted for comment.
