The Scottish Government

Glasgow factory explosion

FIRST MINISTER, JACK MCCONNELL
THURSDAY 13 MAY 2004

EXPLOSIONAT GROVEPARK STREET,GLASGOW

Presiding Officer, it is with deep sadness that I have to report to Parliament on the tragic events that have taken place over the past two days at the Stockline Plastics factory inGlasgow. Now, almost exactly 48 hours after the beginning of the incident, the full extent of this tragedy is becoming clear.

Our first thoughts today are with the families, friends and work colleagues of those who have died and with those who were injured as a result of the explosion. I know all members, including the Deputy First Minister and others who could not be here this afternoon, will wish to take this opportunity to send our deepest sympathies to them all at this time.

Of course, there is still an ongoing rescue operation underway at the site in Maryhill. The firefighters and specialist rescuers carry the hopes of each and every one of us for every minute that they persevere in their search for life.

Presiding Officer, like everyone across the country I have been shocked by the scenes of devastation and despair as they have unfolded in Glasgow.But I have also felt immense pride in the effectiveness of the response by our emergency services, by volunteers, and by local agencies.

I would like to spend a few moments setting out to Parliament the record of those events at Stockline Plastics factory and the nature of the response to date.

The first call to the fire brigade was received at 12.01pm on Tuesday 11 May. Fire crews were in attendance at 12.06pm. At 12.08pm the assistance of the ambulance service was sought; by 12.10 a search was underway; and at 12.11 additional fire crews were on their way. Doctors and nurses from the nearby community health centre were on the scene and tending to the injured almost immediately.

A major incident was declared and over the initial period a total of 32 fire appliances and specialist search and rescue vehicles were called to the scene. The police were quickly in attendance to secure the scene and to support the rescue; representatives of the gas and electricity suppliers attended swiftly too.

It was apparent almost immediately that there were multiple casualties, including a number of fatalities. The plans made by the emergency services and the NHS for just such a major incident were very quickly put into effect.

At the height of the incident over 200 firefighters, and scores of police officers were at the scene. Ambulance staff were using their skills to treat casualties on the spot and hospitals across the city were dealing with those most seriously injured. Sniffer dogs and their handlers came to the scene from North Yorkshire.

International Search and Rescue, an organisation of volunteers that specialises in major disaster work, Mines Rescue and a number of Mountain Rescue teams responded to the call for assistance and arrived in Glasgow from across the UK.

In addition to the firefighters of Strathclyde Fire Brigade specially trained search and rescue personnel from Lothian & Borders Fire Brigade, Grampian Fire Brigade and Central Scotland Fire Brigade were all deployed to assist at the scene. Many off-duty firefighters and officers reported for duty to meet the needs of the incident and to maintain fire cover for the rest of Glasgow.

The search and rescue work was and is of a highly specialised nature. The new arrangements and specialised equipment introduced following the horrific events in New York on 11 ^th September 2001 have enhanced the capability of the fire service in Scotland to respond to a major incident. They have proved their worth this week.

Under these new arrangements teams from London Fire and Rescue Service, Cheshire, Tyne and Wear, Leicester, Lancashire and Greater Manchester all attended in support of Strathclyde Fire Brigade. In all, nine other brigades have provided support. And we are very grateful for their assistance.

Away from the immediate scene, many other groups and organisations were playing their part too. A help line was set up for concerned relatives; and at Maryhill Community Centre Hall, an evacuation point was established and support services put in place for employees, their families and local residents.

Many other agencies assisted here including Glasgow City Council, the Red Cross, the Salvation Army and Glasgow Caring City Charity; as well as numerous Glasgow Business's, local residents and local Priests and Ministers.

This community centre became the focus of the real Glaswegian community spirit that I know was so comforting for all relatives and residents.

Still further from the site, the NHS in Glasgow were putting in place well rehearsed emergency procedures. Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Stobhill Hospital, the Southern General Hospital and the Western Infirmary, all geared up to receive casualties and the Victoria Infirmary, being furthest away, despatched nurses and doctors to the scene to assist paramedics in providing immediate care.

Presiding Officer, the most up to date information I have on the casualties arising from this incident are as follows :- There were 8 fatalities ( 6 people died at the scene and 2 subsequently died in hospital from their injuries) and there have been 57 casualties. Of these casualties, 9 were treated at the scene, 39 were hospitalised, 18 remain in hospital and of these 9 are in a serious condition and 9 are in a stable condition. There is still one person unaccounted for and the search continues.

I met some of those injured yesterday and they wanted me to make one point very clear. This has been a terrible tragedy for everyone affected, but it could have been considerably worse had it not been for the extraordinary effort and professional dedication of all the emergency workers, NHS staff and volunteers.

I visited the site yesterday and I was deeply moved by the bravery of the survivors and by the dignity of the bereaved. But I was also immensely proud too of all the emergency workers and everyone involved in responding to this tragedy. They worked in difficult and sometimes dangerous conditions with no thought for themselves, intent only on saving lives, comforting the bereaved and supporting the injured.

Their work has gone on round the clock to make sure that every life which can be saved, is saved. That any ounce of support that is needed, is given.

The response to this incident has been a tribute to the commitment, dedication and skill of our emergency services and we owe them a great debt of gratitude

The search and rescue effort is being lead by Brian Sweeney, Firemaster of Stratchclyde Fire Brigade. He has been an inspiration to everyone involved in responding to this tragedy and I would like to mark my personal appreciation of his effective and encouraging leadership.

But scores of organisations and hundreds of individuals have played their part too, many still working today as we speak. Too many to name, but everyone appreciated to the full.

The search work is still ongoing and once that has been completed and the structure made safe an investigation into the causes of the tragedy will get underway. Members will understand that it would not be appropriate for us to speculate on the possible cause of this incident at this time.

I have spoken to the Lord Advocate, and to Andrew Smith, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, who has responsibility for the Health and Safety Executive, and can confirm that the Lord Advocate will announce in due course the exact format of the investigation. It will be led by the Procurator Fiscal Service and will involve the police and the Health and Safety Executive. It will be thorough. Any lessons that should be learned, must be learned. Any improvements necessary will be implemented.

Because it will be full and thorough, it will take time, but any early action necessary will be taken forward by the Health & Safety Executive with the consent of the Procurator Fiscal.

Tuesday 11 May 2004 began as an ordinary working day at Stockline Plastics in Glasgow, but it ended in sadness.

There are times in my service as First Minister when I am deeply affected by the way in which life can be so cruel, and by the impact of unexpected events on the lives of ordinary Scottish families.

We all today express our deepest sympathy for all those most affected by the explosion in Maryhill, including those most seriously injured whose lives will now involve fresh challenges.

But there are also times when I am proud of the spirit of Scotland, the professionalism of our public services and the way in which ordinary people stop everything in their own lives to help those most in need.

I have been inspired by those many hundreds of people involved in this emergency whose daily job is to protect us and to save lives. Jobs that far too often we take for granted. During the last few days they have shown the skill, the courage, the professionalism and the dedication that make our emergency workers amongst the very best in the world.

I know today we speak for Scotland when we say thank you to them and when we send our condolences to the families of those who have died.