McConnell pledges full inquiry into factory blast

Scotland's First Minister Jack McConnell has said that there will be a full investigation into the circumstances of the devastating factory explosion in Glasgow which claimed the lives of eight people earlier this week.

The blast at the Stockline Plastics factory in Grovepark Street, Maryhill, on Tuesday afternoon destroyed the four-storey building – killing eight and injuring 30 others.

Although the body of the eighth victim has been removed from the scene of the explosion, formal identification will take sometime, a spokesperson for Strathclyde police said.

The body is believed to be one of the two, previously unaccounted for, persons that were believed to be still within the remains of the building.

According to Strathclyde police, one person who was in a serious condition at the Southern General is now in a stable condition. However, three people are in a serious condition at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary. Five others are in a stable condition while one has been discharged following treatment.

Mr McConnell also praised the "fantastic" response of the emergency services and the professionalism and dedication of all the NHS staff who played their part in treating the injured.

Around 500 extra health staff from a range of disciplines, who were off duty, immediately made themselves available to assist colleagues working at the five hospitals receiving casualties - Glasgow Royal Infirmary, the Western Infirmary, the Southern General, the Victoria Infirmary and Stobhill Hospital.

Professor Sir John Arbuthnott, chairman of NHS Greater Glasgow, said that the teams of staff had shown "real professionalism under extreme pressure" as they fought through the night to deliver emergency care to those caught up in the incident.

Sir John said: "The skills and dedication of staff were put to a real test yesterday and each and everyone of them showed real courage and commitment to help save the lives of the badly wounded and care for those with less serious injuries."

Emergency services have confirmed that they have now searched half of the building. Seventy-five per cent of the roof has now been removed and search dogs were back on the scene this morning.

The search this morning focused on a number of key locations, including the area under the remaining section of the roof.

(gmcg)