HUNDREDS of people watched as two 40-year-old tower blocks in Glasgow's south side were reduced to rubble in seconds.
Landmark city tower blocks razed in just 8 seconds
By Helen McArdleHUNDREDS of people watched as two 40-year-old tower blocks in Glasgow's south side were reduced to rubble in seconds.
The demolition of the 23-storey landmarks at 124 and 142 Shawbridge Street, Pollokshaws, took place at noon yesterday, watched by crowds who gathered on a grass verge overlooking the site.
It took just eight seconds and 30 kilos of explosives to turn the towers into a pile of dust and concrete as onlookers cheered.
More than 200 households within the 150m radius of the exclusion zone had to be evacuated and spent the day at a rest centre where breakfast, lunch and entertainment, including films and bingo, were provided.
Built in 1967 at a cost of around £1m, the properties were once home to 210 households.
However, Glasgow Housing Association decided to demolish the blocks in 2005 following a decline in demand for high-rise homes. By October 2007 all tenants had been relocated.
Two nearby blocks, in Riverford Road and Riverbank Street, were also razed last year as part of a major overhaul of the area by GHA.
The redevelopment will include a mix of flats and terraced homes. A review is under way to decide what will replace the Shawbridge blocks, but the hope is for further new-build properties.
It will take eight weeks to clear the 16,000 tonnes of debris created by yesterday's demolition, but 95% will be recycled as foundations for roads and other buildings.
 1 The first of the two tower blocks in Pollokshaws starts to shake before toppling to the ground |  2 |  3 | ||
 4 |  5 The tower blocks are just a pile of rubble after the demolition operation |  6 The massive clear-up operation begins - and it will last eight weeks |
