Cause of Stockline Blast Revealed

The exact cause of the explosion which killed nine workers at the Stockline Plastics factory in Glasgow, UK has been revealed for the first time.

A hearing at the High Court in Glasgow was told that the blast happened after petroleum gas ignited in a pipe which had been corroding over the years.

The companies which owned Stockline face four charges brought under the Health and Safety at Work Act.

Their trial, expected to last 12 days, is due to get under way next month.

Defence Paul G. McBride QC told a preliminary hearing on Tuesday that discussions with the prosecution could have a "significant impact" on the trial and could reduce its duration even further.

He also revealed that a huge amount of technical evidence had been agreed.