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| Glasgow skyline changes as blast blows down Red Road flats | |
| (6 days later) | |
| Part of the iconic Red Road flats complex in Glasgow has been blown down in a controlled explosion. | Part of the iconic Red Road flats complex in Glasgow has been blown down in a controlled explosion. |
| Crowds gathered to watch the demolition of the triple tower block at Petershill Drive in the north of the city. | Crowds gathered to watch the demolition of the triple tower block at Petershill Drive in the north of the city. |
| Built in the mid-1960s to tackle the city's housing crisis, the flats once provided accommodation for almost 5,000 people. | Built in the mid-1960s to tackle the city's housing crisis, the flats once provided accommodation for almost 5,000 people. |
| The demolition programme, which changes the city's skyline, is part of Glasgow Housing Association's renewal plan. | The demolition programme, which changes the city's skyline, is part of Glasgow Housing Association's renewal plan. |
| There were eight tower blocks in total and when they were built, at 292ft (89m), they were the tallest residential structures in Europe. | There were eight tower blocks in total and when they were built, at 292ft (89m), they were the tallest residential structures in Europe. |
| Initially they were regarded as the answer to Glasgow's housing problem but in recent years have become rundown and vandalised, and stand largely empty. | Initially they were regarded as the answer to Glasgow's housing problem but in recent years have become rundown and vandalised, and stand largely empty. |
| Alex McGuire, from Glasgow Housing Association, said: "The Red Road flats were popular in their day and are known around the world, but their time has come to an end. | Alex McGuire, from Glasgow Housing Association, said: "The Red Road flats were popular in their day and are known around the world, but their time has come to an end. |
| "We're pleased the demolition of the first of the Red Road blocks went according to plan." | "We're pleased the demolition of the first of the Red Road blocks went according to plan." |
| As final preparations for the demolition got under way, Red Road was trending on Twitter. | As final preparations for the demolition got under way, Red Road was trending on Twitter. |
| About 275 kilos of explosives were used to bring down the triple block. | About 275 kilos of explosives were used to bring down the triple block. |
| Due to the unique steel-frame structure of the flats, the bottom storeys remained - as planned - undisturbed after the blowdown. These will be demolished using machines. | Due to the unique steel-frame structure of the flats, the bottom storeys remained - as planned - undisturbed after the blowdown. These will be demolished using machines. |
| About 2,000 people were temporarily removed from their homes with many of the local residents staying with family or friends or visiting the evacuation centre at All Saints Secondary School. | About 2,000 people were temporarily removed from their homes with many of the local residents staying with family or friends or visiting the evacuation centre at All Saints Secondary School. |
| The clear-up operation will take several months to complete. | The clear-up operation will take several months to complete. |
| William Sinclair, from demolition contractors Safedem, said: "The Red Road flats have presented a unique series of challenges ranging from the size of the buildings to the steel frame structure. | William Sinclair, from demolition contractors Safedem, said: "The Red Road flats have presented a unique series of challenges ranging from the size of the buildings to the steel frame structure. |
| "We're delighted to be involved in another successful demolition." | "We're delighted to be involved in another successful demolition." |
| In recent years the flats had been home to refugees from many countries. | In recent years the flats had been home to refugees from many countries. |
| In March 2010, three Russian asylum seekers who had been living in the flats jumped to their deaths from one of the towers in Petershill Drive. | In March 2010, three Russian asylum seekers who had been living in the flats jumped to their deaths from one of the towers in Petershill Drive. |
| The flats were also the inspiration for Andrea Arnold's debut feature-length film "Red Road", which won five Scottish Baftas in 2006. | The flats were also the inspiration for Andrea Arnold's debut feature-length film "Red Road", which won five Scottish Baftas in 2006. |
| The film told the story of a lonely female CCTV operator who monitored the flats. | The film told the story of a lonely female CCTV operator who monitored the flats. |
| The remaining seven multi-storeys in the area are due to be demolished by 2017. | The remaining seven multi-storeys in the area are due to be demolished by 2017. |