Stockline Plastics factory explosion facts for kids

On May 11, 2004, a big explosion happened at the ICL Plastics factory in Glasgow, Scotland. This factory was in the Maryhill area. Nine people sadly died, and 33 others were hurt. The four-story building was mostly destroyed. People often called it the "Stockline Plastics factory" because of the signs outside.

What Caused the Explosion?

After the explosion, experts from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) looked very closely at the site. They wanted to find out exactly what happened.

At first, no one knew the exact cause. Some people thought it might have been gas ovens. Others wondered if heavy machines made the floor collapse. There were also ideas about dust or gas building up underground.

But the final report from the HSE found the real reason. The explosion happened because of a gas leak. It was from a pipe carrying liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). LPG is a type of gas used for fuel. The pipes and tank for this gas were very old, from the 1960s. They had rusted over time, letting the gas escape. This gas then caught fire, causing the explosion.

What Happened After?

Many people wanted to help those affected by the explosion. A special fund called the Grovepark Fund was set up. It helped the families of those who died and were injured.

A famous football player, Henrik Larsson from Celtic F.C., helped the fund. He auctioned off his shirt from his last game. It was expected to raise a lot of money for the appeal.

People also gathered to remember what happened. A memorial service took place in Glasgow on July 4, 2004. Another service was held exactly one year after the explosion, on May 11, 2005.

Learning from the Event

After the explosion, there was a big investigation. The companies that owned the factory, ICL Plastics Limited and ICL Tech Limited, were looked at closely. They were found to have made mistakes. These mistakes included not keeping the gas pipes safe. They also did not make sure their workers and visitors were safe.

The companies admitted to four charges in court in August 2007. They were each fined £200,000.

Later, a public inquiry was held. This was a deeper look into the event. It started in July 2008 and was led by Lord Gill. The inquiry looked at thousands of pages of information. It wanted to understand exactly what happened and why.

In July 2009, Lord Gill's report was published. It said that the companies were at fault. It also pointed out problems with how the Health & Safety Executive had checked on safety. The report made important suggestions. These ideas were about how to safely store and use liquid petroleum gas. The goal was to prevent similar accidents in the future.

Memorial Garden

In May 2007, a special garden was opened to remember the people who died. It is a place for quiet reflection.