Woman, 64, charged after crash causes gas pipe leak

An elderly woman has been charged after a car crashed into the wall of a house, damaging gas pipes.

Twenty-six people had to be evacuated from their homes in the Fife village of Newton of Falkland.

They were given shelter at the nearby Malt Bar Inn following the crash at about 12:40am yesterday.

Residents were allowed to return to their homes by 5am.

Fife Police described the gas leak as "significant".

No-one was injured and the area was declared safe at about 2:30am.

Firefighters, the ambulance service and staff from gas company Transco attended the scene of the accident, the police said.

Officers said a 64-year-old woman from north-east Fife has been charged with road traffic offences.

A report is being sent to the procurator fiscal.

Community sergeant Colette Mather said: "I wish to thank the people of Newton of Falkland for their help in dealing with this incident, and particularly to the owner of the Malt Barn Inn for allowing it be used to shelter people who were evacuated for their homes."