Fourth person dies after factory blast

Four people were tonight confirmed dead following a blast at a plastics factory in Glasgow, Strathclyde fire brigade said.

The explosion destroyed Stockline Plastics in the west end of the city shortly after midday.

Rescuers were tonight battling to save 10 people believed to be trapped under the rubble.

Dozens of people were injured in the incident at the four-storey building shortly after midday.

Scotland’s First Minister Jack McConnell described the explosion as “tragic and terrible” and said his thoughts were with the family and friends of those involved.

Strathclyde Police said 37 people were confirmed as injured, of whom 16 were serious. The injured were being treated at five city hospitals.

Strathclyde firemaster Brian Sweeney likened the site to an earthquake scene and said the rescue operation, which was being treated as a major incident, could take as long as 48 hours.

He said that 16 people had now been taken to hospital from the site and confirmed contact had been made with several groups of people who were trapped.

Two people made contact by mobile phone, one phoned the emergency services and the other a national newspaper.

It is understood a group of around 10 were thought to have been holding a meeting in one of the upper floors at the time of the explosion and were now trapped on the ground floor.

Up to 200 firefighters were involved in the rescue. Some were using thermal imaging cameras and heat-seeking equipment.

An RAF Sea King rescue helicopter from Leconfield in North Yorkshire was preparing to ferry specialist dog teams and their handlers to the site.

The building in Grovepark Street, off Maryhill Road was reduced to rubble in seconds.

Witnesses described hearing a huge explosion and screams.

Blood-soaked survivors ran into the street as debris rained down.

The cause of the blast was still being investigated although survivors suggested four ovens in the factory – two electric and two gas – may have exploded.