RESIDENTS from a village in Clackmannanshire have described being evacuated from their homes after doorframes “cracked”, skirting boards “came away”, and the road “bulged” due to a “ground movement”.
The National can reveal that thirty-six homes were evacuated from a housing scheme in Coalsnaughton on Monday evening after evidence of ground movement was discovered by local residents.
One local said he was alerted by his neighbours of the incident after he went to put his bins out and discovered them “walking up and down the street” looking at cracks that had formed in the street’s monoblock.
“They said they'd heard like a thump in the house,” Kyle Smith, a resident in the evacuated Benbuck View area, told The National.
“They said they'd heard some noises during the day. These were people from the houses up the street from us, they've been more affected by it.
“They were the ones that had a crack around the door frame and stuff, and the skirting boards are coming away from the wall.”
Smith, 32, went on to explain that another house had their front path “buckled up” as the ground bulged outwards and added that the monoblock on his own driveway had “separated” at the top.
It is understood that multiple homes in the area have reported cracks forming on the walls of their homes, along with the street also showing parts of the road “separating”.
Smith said that one resident phoned the council at around 8pm after the road started to bulge and that a gas firm, GIS, had come out to check that there hadn't been a gas leak.
He said following the gas firm’s call out, someone from the local authority came to inspect the damage, followed by the police.
At around 9pm, Scottish Fire and Rescue Services were also called to the scene, “and that was about the time we started getting asked to leave,” Smith said.
It is understood that a team from the urban search and rescue was also in attendance during the incident.
“I think they were a bit worried that there were still some people in some of the houses that they couldn't get in touch with,” Smith said.
It has since been reported that nobody was injured in the incident and that some families have been able to retrieve more personal belongings since they were evacuated.
A rest centre was established at the nearby Devonvale Hall, Tillicoultry, that is now serving as an information centre for those affected after it was initially used as accommodation.
It is understood that most of the families affected have found accommodation with relatives and friends, with around eight being put up in hotels while the area is still closed to the public.
The local authority confirmed that investigations into the cause of the ground movement continued on Tuesday and that the Mining Remediation Authority is also on site.
The National understands that mining experts have been called up from England to help with the investigation, with residents being told it could be at least a “couple of days” until they could return home.
Smith, who has a two-year-old and a three-year-old, said that he was allowed to collect supplies for his family after they were initially evacuated from their homes.
He said: “I managed to get back in to grab a few pieces for the kids, and I went up early this morning, and they said they were letting folk in to get cars and like to collect some more stuff because it's probably gonna be a couple of days while they do the checks and stuff.”
A spokesperson for Clackmannanshire Council confirmed the area was evacuated after evidence of ground movement was discovered.
They said: “The council, along with its partners in Police Scotland, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and utility companies, attended Benbuck View in Coalsnaughton last night after evidence of ground movement was discovered.
“Residents from thirty-six homes were evacuated safely. No one was injured.
“Benbuck View is still closed today, however, the A908-B9140 remains open.”
A spokesperson for the Mining Remediation Authority said: “At around 9.30pm on Monday, 18 May 2026, we were made aware of ground movement at Benbuck View, Coalsnaughton, Clackmannanshire, Scotland.
“We are working with Scottish Fire and Rescue, Police Scotland, and Clackmannanshire Council, and we have secured the site.
“Thirty-six properties have been evacuated as a precaution, and we are planning to carry out detailed investigations to determine the cause of the incident and any potential risks.
“To report a coal mine hazard, please call us on 0800 288 4242, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”
