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”.

In the Commons, Prime Minister Tony Blair, Conservative leader Michael Howard and Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy united to send their condolences to the families of the victims.

Meanwhile, Strathclyde Police named some of the victims who died when the four-storey building in Grovepark Street collapsed shortly after midday on Tuesday.

They were Ann Trench, 34, of Colston, Glasgow; Margaret Brownlie, 49, of Glassford Road, Strathaven, Lanarkshire; Tracey McErlane, 27, of Wester Common Drive, Possilpark, Glasgow; and Peter Ferguson, 52, of Kilbarchan, Renfrewshire.

The body of another man has been identified but the family do not want his name released at the moment.

About 40 people were injured in the blast, seven of whom were pulled from the building.

The last survivor to be pulled from the rubble was rescued at 9pm on Tuesday.

A total of 20 people were being treated at hospitals across the city, of which 11 remained in a serious condition.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has been unable to start its investigation as it is awaiting the go-ahead from emergency services to proceed with on-site inspections.