Blast rescue bid continues

RESCUERS last night refused to give up hope that survivors may be pulled from the rubble of the Glasgow factory explosion which has so far claimed seven lives.

More than 24 hours after the blast which destroyed Stockline Plastics in the Maryhill area of the city, Strathclyde Firemaster Brian Sweeney forecast the operation could last as long as seven days.

As Glasgow slowly began to come to terms with the enormity of the tragedy, Scotland’s First Minister Jack McConnell visited the site and pledged a “full and thorough investigation”.