Blast site factory reduced to rubble
The devastated site where a Glasgow plastics factory once stood today looked as if it had been rocked by a natural disaster.
A massive explosion shook the west end of Glasgow around midday and instantly reduced the four-storey factory to rubble.
Harrowing screams could be heard as thick black smoke billowed from the scene and debris rained down from the clear blue sky.
Blood-soaked survivors ran for their lives, in a state of shock and bewilderment.
In recent years India, Iran, Turkey and Afghanistan have been hit by devastating earthquakes which claimed thousands of lives.
And as passers-by joined rescuers in desperate bid to find survivors, the jagged shell of Stockline Plastics looked as if it had been destroyed by an almighty tremor.
The streets surrounding the area were closed off and a police cordon set up around the perimeter of the factory, next to a small shopping centre.
Hundreds of people had gathered in the streets to witness the commotion and many were visibly distressed by the scene.
From a distance firefighters could be seen sifting through the wreckage, pulling back bricks, slabs of concrete, bits of wood, in a bid to reach those believed to be trapped.
Rescuers forecast the operation, which has been declared a major incident, could take as long as 48 hours.
Glasgow was tonight a city living in hope.
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