Gas canisters found in blazing jeep

The potentially deadly nature of the Glasgow Airport car bomb attack became clearer today.

Gas canisters were apparently packed into the car which was rammed into the front of the terminal building and set alight.

Had they exploded when the 4x4 was torched it would almost certainly have caused massive casualties.

The green canisters were similar to the patio gas bottles packed into a Mercedes discovered in London’s West End early on Friday morning.

That car was also loaded with a deadly cargo of petrol and nails.

Senior officers said the vehicle would have caused “carnage” if it had exploded in London.

Strathclyde Police have refused to comment on the contents of the Jeep Cherokee in Glasgow and would not say if that car was also packed with nails.

But the emergence of the canisters further strengthens the links with the botched London car bombs.

Police have already said they are linking the incidents in Glasgow and London.

The canisters were removed from the 4x4 by police forensic officers at Glasgow Airport today.

The vehicle remained at the entrance of the terminal building where it was set alight yesterday afternoon.

At least three green canisters could be seen sitting on the ground having apparently been taken from the car.

All three were badly charred at the top, suggesting that they had been opened before being set alight.