Jul 27, 2026 · 44 min · 11 segments
*Content warning: This series discusses the use of explosives for terrorism. Episodes will contain sounds of explosions, statements from victims and descriptions of injuries as well as other content…
Penny StewartHost
Aileen FyfeGuestNiamh Nook-DadeGuest
Amy BruceGuest
Steve JohnsonGuestMikeGuest
James CrosslandGuestSoon after 10 o'clock, a brilliant glare suddenly illuminated the whole country for miles around, followed the next instant by a terrific report, so violent in character that houses shook to their foundations and windows were shattered in all directions.
The wall was blowing in when I was sitting beside the fire and I saw a great light, blue in the windows and all.
The lamp which was hanging up at the fireside was all bloody pieces and I saw a massive flame around me.
I rushed
Ten past ten on Saturday the 20th of January 1883 and a sudden explosion ripped through the Tradestone Gasworks in Glasgow.
Parts of the city were plunged into darkness, sending waves of panic and shock through the city's inhabitants.
Crowds of astounded citizens sought at once to ascertain the cause.
The district and central fire brigades were summoned by the electric fire alarm being rung by several startled people.
the Procurator Fiscal sent for Colonel Vivian Magendi, Her Majesty's General Inspector of Explosives.
From my examination of the gas holder, it was quite clear to me that the explosion was from without inwards and not from within outwards.
I venture, therefore, to assert with all confidence that this explosion could not have been due to gas, but must be referred to some other agency.
Coming to the conclusion that we're not dealing with a gas explosion, what was it and how did it lead to what people witnessed, but also how does what we're looking at in terms of physical evidence recovered tie in with an explosive device?
While the proof as to the explosion not having been due to gas appears to be quite irrefragable, it will, I think, be possible to show not less conclusively to what class of explosive agent it may be confidently referred.
If, as Majendi suspects, an explosive agent has been involved, well, that implies a bomb.
Soon after 10 o'clock, a brilliant glare suddenly illuminated the whole country for miles around, followed the next instant by a terrific report, so violent in character that houses shook to their foundations and windows were shattered in all directions.
The wall was blowing in when I was sitting beside the fire and I saw a great light, blue in the windows and all.
The lamp which was hanging up at the fireside was all bloody pieces and I saw a massive flame around me.
I rushed
Ten past ten on Saturday the 20th of January 1883 and a sudden explosion ripped through the Tradestone Gasworks in Glasgow.
Parts of the city were plunged into darkness, sending waves of panic and shock through the city's inhabitants.
Crowds of astounded citizens sought at once to ascertain the cause.
The district and central fire brigades were summoned by the electric fire alarm being rung by several startled people.
the Procurator Fiscal sent for Colonel Vivian Magendi, Her Majesty's General Inspector of Explosives.
From my examination of the gas holder, it was quite clear to me that the explosion was from without inwards and not from within outwards.
I venture, therefore, to assert with all confidence that this explosion could not have been due to gas, but must be referred to some other agency.
Coming to the conclusion that we're not dealing with a gas explosion, what was it and how did it lead to what people witnessed, but also how does what we're looking at in terms of physical evidence recovered tie in with an explosive device?
While the proof as to the explosion not having been due to gas appears to be quite irrefragable, it will, I think, be possible to show not less conclusively to what class of explosive agent it may be confidently referred.
If, as Majendi suspects, an explosive agent has been involved, well, that implies a bomb.
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