Company fined over Drumtochty Arms explosion in Auchenblae
A company has been fined following an explosion at an Aberdeenshire hotel in 2009.
The explosion at the Drumtochty Arms in Auchenblae left three people injured and the hotel had to be demolished.
Instant Catering Maintenance Ltd admitted breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, at Aberdeen Sheriff Court.
The Aberdeen company was fined £7,500 for the incident.
The explosion happened during work on a new kitchen, moments after a strong smell of gas was noted.
After the sentencing, Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspector Niall Miller said: "This was an entirely avoidable, very serious incident resulting in significant injuries to three people and the demolition of a building."
Barmaid Danielle Ormond was among the injured.
Her lawyer, Chris Gordon, from Thompson Solicitors, said: "It's only through sheer luck that nobody was killed.
"A fine of this low level sends out the entirely the wrong message about just how serious this breach of safety law was."