Miracle escape as gas blast rips through shops
Published: October 11, 2006
A MASSIVE blast destroyed two shops and left two others close to collapse yesterday.
Shocked residents on the estate surrounding the stores were wakened by a huge bang at 4am as an explosion ripped through a sunbed shop and a hairdresser.
Amazingly, no one was killed or hurt in the devastation.
Police declared a major incident at the site in Hawthorn Street, Clydebank, near Glasgow, as they took dozens of 999 calls from anxious locals.
Several roads around the blast site were cordoned off and families in nearby flats were ordered to leave.
The scene of destruction was compared to a war zone by residents who gathered to watch firefighters tackle the blaze.
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Debris from the suspected gas explosion was thrown more than 50ft across the road and smashed cars ! parked nearby.
West Dunbartonshire Council roads supervisor John Gallacher said: “It’s a miracle no one was killed.
“Luckily, there was no one walking past when the explosion happened - as this is a bad one.”
The Post Office and Serve ‘n’ Save store were also badly damaged. Resident John Paul McKinlay, 25, said: “I was lying in bed when I heard a massive explosion at about 4am and my windows started shaking.
“Flames were coming out of the shops and, at first, I thought someone had tried to ram-raid the Post Office.
“There was debris all over the road and it looked like something out of World War II.
“I went out on to the road to make sure no one was hurt. I could hear a series of smaller bangs after the first one and the fire brigade have been back and forward all morning putting out the flames.”
Dad-of-three Mohammed Akhtar has run the Serve ‘n’ Save store for almost 25 years. He said: “I am absolutely gutted at what has happened. My shop was my livelihood and it looks badly damaged. I have no idea yet what will happen to it.”
Fire brigade crews from Clydebank, Knightswood and Milngavie battled the blaze at the single-storey row of shops.
The fire investigation unit were at the scene to find out the cause of the blast, which was initially being treated as a gas explosion.
Electricity and gas supplies to neighbouring homes were cut off following the incident as a precaution.
Fire brigade commander Joe Gallagher said: “Initial crews, having carried out a risk assessment, searched the premises for casualties and began firefighting action.
“Due to the complex nature and dangerous conditions of the incident, we cannot at present confirm the existence of any casualties within the remains.
“But we’ll be here for a long time.”
Nearby businesses, including a Co-op food store and pharmacy, were also closed.
Roads were shut off at Duntocher Road, Hawthorn Street, Shakespeare Avenue, Janetta Street and Cherry Crescent.
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