cut
05-11-2004, 11:40 AM
not really military so I'll put it here..
Rescue operation at blast factory
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/40140000/jpg/_40140823_rubble203x152.jpg http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/40141000/jpg/_40141249_factoryrescue203.jpg
Three people have been pulled from the rubble of a plastics factory after an explosion which left at least 16 people trapped and several injured.
The blast demolished much of the Stockline Plastics building in Grovepark Street in Glasgow.
Fire crews have established contact with a number of people who are still trapped in the debris.
Police could not confirm reports of fatalities. About 100 people are thought to work in the west end plant.
The building was all but destroyed in the blast, which was heard by people several miles away.
Eyewitnesses reported that an industrial gas oven exploded.
Treat survivors
The blast brought down the roof of the four-storey building, with rubble collapsing onto parked cars nearby.
Firefighters and police officers at the scene were seen searching the area while passers by helped treat survivors.
An information line providing regular updates for concerned relatives and others affected by the blast has been set up on 0870 9009586 .
Chief Superintendent David Christie said fire crews searching for people in the rubble had brought in listening equipment.
"The priority for emergency services at this time is the recovery of people trapped under the rubble, treating those injured and liaising with relatives," he said.
"The building is apparently sensitive at this moment in time.
"Structurally, it is unsound but the fire service are in charge of that part of the rescue and they are working as hard as they can."
Glasgow's Lord Provost, Liz Cameron, said the explosion had come as a "terrible shock".
"Events such as this - rare though they are, thankfully - tend to bring the people of Glasgow together and I am sure they will join with me in expressing our deepest condolences and sympathy to all concerned.
"Glasgow City Council staff are on site to assist the emergency services, and will continue to do so until further notice," she said.
Local Councillor Hanzala Malik said the factory had been cleared as safe only a couple of months ago.
"For an explosion to happen and people's lives to be put at risk is just incredible and unbelievable.
Smoke and dust
"Everybody is just stunned and hoping for the best for the people who are trapped."
One worker caught in the blast described how he was "blinded by smoke and dust".
Daniel Gilmour told how he and three other colleagues managed to crawl out of a hole in the side of the building after scrambling over rubble.
He said most of those trapped underneath the wreckage of the plant were working in offices four stories above.
Gerry McGuinness, 44, a technician at the nearby Dentec dental laboratory, said the explosion sounded like a bomb going off.
He helped attempts to free five people from the rubble.
"We couldn't see them but they were screaming at us for us to help them," he said.
"We were trying to move the bricks when a man came and told us to stop because it may be unsafe."
A spokesman for the Scottish Ambulance Service confirmed it had three special operations teams and a mobile control unit which specialises in handling major incidents at the scene of the blast, along with 16 ambulance crews.
Two Royal Navy helicopters were sent to assist emergency services in taking casualties to hospital.
Made safe
Fourteen people were being treated at Stobhill Hospital, while others had been taken to the Western Infirmary and the Royal Infirmary.
The Health and Safety Executive said it would be carrying out an investigation into the explosion.
A number of inspectors are now at the scene, but their inquiry cannot get under way until the site has been made safe by the fire service.
Ann McKechin, the Labour MP for Maryhill, is flying back to her constituency.
She has asked for an urgent statement to be made to the House of Commons.
"My heartfelt sympathies go out to the victims, the workers and their families today in what is an absolutely dreadful tragedy for the area," she said.
Did you witness the explosion? Do you live in the affected area? Send us your experiences using the form below.
I was at work in the Jaguar factory opposite, when heard the explosion. I tried to help some of the injured but when fire brigade arrived and I was advised to stand clear. I could hear people screaming underneath the rubble it was a horrible experience.
Stephen Anthony, Glasgow, Scotland
Then came clouds and cloud of dust
Colin Smith, Glasgow
I was being served at the checkout in one of the shops adjacent to the factory when the building exploded. The shock was tremendous - the whole building shook - and then came the terrible noise. We watched as debris landed across the car park and then came clouds and cloud of dust. We hung back, not sure what to do, and then some of us began making our way out the shop, and the rest quickly followed.
We had to pick our way though the car park, which was still full of dust and smoke. The ground was covered in shards of class, and when the dust began to settle we could see the remains of the factory - a pile of rubble with the collapsed roof perched on top off it at an angle. People came running out of the adjacent car showroom and the other shops. A few people began to climb up the rubble to look for trapped survivors, some passing police were there within minutes and then the firemen and ambulances arrived. It was mayhem.
Colin Smith, Glasgow
We knew something was wrong when a fleet of emergency service vehicles came screaming past our office in Paisley, over 10 miles from where the explosion happened.
Adam, Scotland
I had just left the sports centre a few hundred yards away and heard a massive explosion. I couldn't believe what I saw at the factory. My sympathy goes out to all involved and affected by this terrible accident.
David McIntosh, Glasgow, Scotland
I was walking my dog at around midday when I heard the explosion, I could hear people screaming and seen some men running out of the building - it was horrific.
Anthony Reilly, Glasgow, Scotland
The air has been awash with the sound of sirens
Cameron Borland, Glasgow
Heard the blast from around two miles away and the air has been awash with the sound of sirens since.
Cameron Borland, Glasgow
I live about three miles from the site of the explosion in a flat on a hill overlooking the city. I felt the explosion from here as a heavy rumble, and looking out my window could see an enormous brown cloud of smoke rising.
Terri Geis, Glasgow
The blast almost put my lounge in and I stay half a mile away.
Mark Russell, Glasgow
Such an incident proves the impending closure of the Victoria Infirmary A & E in the south side of Glasgow will be dangerous to the city. A city of this size requires several emergency care departments in order to cope, not only due to a large-scale situation but for day to day needs. With love to all affected.
Amanda, Glasgow, UK
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/scotland/3703951.stm
Published: 2004/05/11 15:03:33 GMT
© BBC MMIV
http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/40140000/jpg/_40140401_blastone.jpg
look at all the ambulances
Rescue operation at blast factory
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/40140000/jpg/_40140823_rubble203x152.jpg http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/40141000/jpg/_40141249_factoryrescue203.jpg
Three people have been pulled from the rubble of a plastics factory after an explosion which left at least 16 people trapped and several injured.
The blast demolished much of the Stockline Plastics building in Grovepark Street in Glasgow.
Fire crews have established contact with a number of people who are still trapped in the debris.
Police could not confirm reports of fatalities. About 100 people are thought to work in the west end plant.
The building was all but destroyed in the blast, which was heard by people several miles away.
Eyewitnesses reported that an industrial gas oven exploded.
Treat survivors
The blast brought down the roof of the four-storey building, with rubble collapsing onto parked cars nearby.
Firefighters and police officers at the scene were seen searching the area while passers by helped treat survivors.
An information line providing regular updates for concerned relatives and others affected by the blast has been set up on 0870 9009586 .
Chief Superintendent David Christie said fire crews searching for people in the rubble had brought in listening equipment.
"The priority for emergency services at this time is the recovery of people trapped under the rubble, treating those injured and liaising with relatives," he said.
"The building is apparently sensitive at this moment in time.
"Structurally, it is unsound but the fire service are in charge of that part of the rescue and they are working as hard as they can."
Glasgow's Lord Provost, Liz Cameron, said the explosion had come as a "terrible shock".
"Events such as this - rare though they are, thankfully - tend to bring the people of Glasgow together and I am sure they will join with me in expressing our deepest condolences and sympathy to all concerned.
"Glasgow City Council staff are on site to assist the emergency services, and will continue to do so until further notice," she said.
Local Councillor Hanzala Malik said the factory had been cleared as safe only a couple of months ago.
"For an explosion to happen and people's lives to be put at risk is just incredible and unbelievable.
Smoke and dust
"Everybody is just stunned and hoping for the best for the people who are trapped."
One worker caught in the blast described how he was "blinded by smoke and dust".
Daniel Gilmour told how he and three other colleagues managed to crawl out of a hole in the side of the building after scrambling over rubble.
He said most of those trapped underneath the wreckage of the plant were working in offices four stories above.
Gerry McGuinness, 44, a technician at the nearby Dentec dental laboratory, said the explosion sounded like a bomb going off.
He helped attempts to free five people from the rubble.
"We couldn't see them but they were screaming at us for us to help them," he said.
"We were trying to move the bricks when a man came and told us to stop because it may be unsafe."
A spokesman for the Scottish Ambulance Service confirmed it had three special operations teams and a mobile control unit which specialises in handling major incidents at the scene of the blast, along with 16 ambulance crews.
Two Royal Navy helicopters were sent to assist emergency services in taking casualties to hospital.
Made safe
Fourteen people were being treated at Stobhill Hospital, while others had been taken to the Western Infirmary and the Royal Infirmary.
The Health and Safety Executive said it would be carrying out an investigation into the explosion.
A number of inspectors are now at the scene, but their inquiry cannot get under way until the site has been made safe by the fire service.
Ann McKechin, the Labour MP for Maryhill, is flying back to her constituency.
She has asked for an urgent statement to be made to the House of Commons.
"My heartfelt sympathies go out to the victims, the workers and their families today in what is an absolutely dreadful tragedy for the area," she said.
Did you witness the explosion? Do you live in the affected area? Send us your experiences using the form below.
I was at work in the Jaguar factory opposite, when heard the explosion. I tried to help some of the injured but when fire brigade arrived and I was advised to stand clear. I could hear people screaming underneath the rubble it was a horrible experience.
Stephen Anthony, Glasgow, Scotland
Then came clouds and cloud of dust
Colin Smith, Glasgow
I was being served at the checkout in one of the shops adjacent to the factory when the building exploded. The shock was tremendous - the whole building shook - and then came the terrible noise. We watched as debris landed across the car park and then came clouds and cloud of dust. We hung back, not sure what to do, and then some of us began making our way out the shop, and the rest quickly followed.
We had to pick our way though the car park, which was still full of dust and smoke. The ground was covered in shards of class, and when the dust began to settle we could see the remains of the factory - a pile of rubble with the collapsed roof perched on top off it at an angle. People came running out of the adjacent car showroom and the other shops. A few people began to climb up the rubble to look for trapped survivors, some passing police were there within minutes and then the firemen and ambulances arrived. It was mayhem.
Colin Smith, Glasgow
We knew something was wrong when a fleet of emergency service vehicles came screaming past our office in Paisley, over 10 miles from where the explosion happened.
Adam, Scotland
I had just left the sports centre a few hundred yards away and heard a massive explosion. I couldn't believe what I saw at the factory. My sympathy goes out to all involved and affected by this terrible accident.
David McIntosh, Glasgow, Scotland
I was walking my dog at around midday when I heard the explosion, I could hear people screaming and seen some men running out of the building - it was horrific.
Anthony Reilly, Glasgow, Scotland
The air has been awash with the sound of sirens
Cameron Borland, Glasgow
Heard the blast from around two miles away and the air has been awash with the sound of sirens since.
Cameron Borland, Glasgow
I live about three miles from the site of the explosion in a flat on a hill overlooking the city. I felt the explosion from here as a heavy rumble, and looking out my window could see an enormous brown cloud of smoke rising.
Terri Geis, Glasgow
The blast almost put my lounge in and I stay half a mile away.
Mark Russell, Glasgow
Such an incident proves the impending closure of the Victoria Infirmary A & E in the south side of Glasgow will be dangerous to the city. A city of this size requires several emergency care departments in order to cope, not only due to a large-scale situation but for day to day needs. With love to all affected.
Amanda, Glasgow, UK
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/scotland/3703951.stm
Published: 2004/05/11 15:03:33 GMT
© BBC MMIV
http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/40140000/jpg/_40140401_blastone.jpg
look at all the ambulances