WHAT’S THE STORY?

IT was 50 years ago today that Scotland’s worst peace-time explosion on the mainland ripped through the Clarkston Toll shopping precinct south of Glasgow. Some 21 people died in the immediate explosion and collapse of buildings, with the final victim dying some weeks later in hospital.

More than 100 people were injured, some suffering life-changing injuries that required weeks and months of hospitalisation.

Nearly all the victims were women, and consequently in those prejudiced days, compensation was minimal.

WHAT HAPPENED?

On October 21, 1971 at 2.52pm a build up of gas in the basement of the Clarkston Toll Shopping Centre in the suburb south of Glasgow ignited in a huge explosion which was later compared by experts to the impact of a 300lb to 600lb bomb. Witnesses recalled a loud bang, followed by an eerie silence. The East Kilbride bus by dreadful mischance had stopped just outside the centre and took the full force of the blast, with two women passengers who had just alighted, one of them Scottish badminton champion Margaret Hume, killed at the scene.

The emergency services raced to Clarkston, and their heroism as they dug into the rubble to reach victims without concern for themselves was officially noted, as was the courage of local workers, men and women, who rushed to the assistance of the victims, many of whom had suffered appalling injuries. A fleet of ambulances took the injured to hospitals around Glasgow but it was known from 3pm that the carnage had claimed numerous lives.

There was no internet or live television coverage in those days but all Scotland watched that evening’s television news or listened to the radio bulletins to learn of the mounting death toll.

WHAT CAUSED IT?

GAS – the old-fashioned town sort and not North Sea gas as the authorities were anxious to make clear in subsequent days.

The disaster happened despite the fact that in the days before the explosion, shop workers had raised concerns about the smell of gas.

Scottish Gas Board engineers inspected the site but no source of the gas was found. They were still on site when it is presumed the gas in the basement came into contact with a naked light and erupted through the shops above, destroying ten of them and badly damaging another five, which in turn caused the rooftop car park to collapse.

WHAT HAPPENED AFTERWARDS?

THE shops had opened on the morning of October 21 despite the smell of gas still being noted, and the investigation quickly pinpointed the reason – a pipe had corroded, causing a leak and the build-up of gas.

A 19 day Fatal Accident Inquiry at Paisley concluded with the jury being unable to apportion blame to any individual or organisation , a finding that angers victim’ families to this day.

WHAT IS HAPPENING TODAY?

MPs have already backed a motion recording their appreciation of the work of the emergency services, and volunteers and commending “those in the local community who have worked to commemorate the victims of this dreadful event, the losses from which are felt to this day; and notes that the community in Clarkston will never forget.”

A special service will take place at the memorial tree in Clarkston Halls car park for the families of victims and survivors.

A minute’s silence will also be held across East Renfrewshire at 2.50pm, the time the explosion happened.